Consultants hired to take fresh look at public banking

Exchequer deficit narrows

A fresh review is to be undertaken of the prospect of bringing community banking to Ireland just months after it was shot down by the government.

The Department of Finance has drafted in economic consultants Indecon to study whether it is feasible to introduce regional lenders who would provide mortgages, SME loans and consumer financial services.

A report from the department last year on local public banking, along the lines of Germany’s hugely ...