SBP editorial: AIB share sale fanfare rings hollow for many

State to raise €3.4 billion from AIB sale.

The markets have been primed, investors are ready and the brokers are already giddy. Within the next ten days, the government will sell up to 28.8 per cent of AIB. The sale of a quarter of the government’s holding in the bank is the latest step in the rehabilitation of AIB, and will also present a €3.8 billion pay day for the Irish government.

AIB’s sale is expected to be the largest IPO ...