http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0725/boi-business.html
Investors agree deal with Bank of Ireland
Updated: 07:23, Monday, 25 July 2011
The State has agreed a deal with private investors which could mean they will put as much as €1.1 billion into Bank of Ireland in return for a significant minority stake.
The State has agreed a deal with a group of large private investors which could mean they will put as much as €1.1 billion into Bank of Ireland in return for a significant minority stake.
The development means the amount of money which taxpayers will have to put into the company will be reduced.
The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, said there would be no additional risk sharing for the State.
In March, the Central Bank required Bank of Ireland to raise more money to cushion against future bad loans. While bondholders have helped provide some of that cash the company still needs to raise €1.9 billion which it is doing by selling new shares.
At an extraordinary general meeting earlier this month many shareholders baulked at the idea of buying more stock in the bank. That meant the State would have to shoulder the burden of providing the money and in return could own a majority of the bank.
However, today's announcement now means a group of private investors are willing to buy a substantial portion of the new shares along side the taxpayer.
The final shareholdings as a result of this deal will not be clear until it is known how many ordinary shareholders buy stock in the coming days.
The maximum the private investors will own will be 37% of Bank of Ireland and the minimum will be 14% but this will rise to 19% after a top up.
The maximum the State will hold will be 32% and the minimum will be 15%. The deal means the taxpayer won't own a majority of the bank. It also shows outside investors have some confidence in the company's prospects.
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