Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat and the TSI people: What is your opinion of Allied Irish Banks? I know that this bank will require a cash injection and that Ireland and its banks are risky. However, maybe a bailout will make Irish banks pop, just like the American banks did when they received TARP. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Allied Irish Banks (ADR), $3.19, symbol AIB on New York (ADRs outstanding: 127.9 million; Market cap: $408.0 million; www.aib.ie), is one of Ireland’s leading banking and financial-services organizations. It mainly operates in Ireland, Britain, Poland and the United States. The AIB Group, as it is known, has five main divisions: 1) AIB Bank provides retail and commercial banking in 270 outlets in the Republic of Ireland. 2) AIB Bank UK provides banking services in Great Britain, where it operates under the name Allied Irish Bank (47 locations). In Northern Ireland, it is known as First Trust Bank (59 locations). 3) AIB Capital Markets handles global treasury and investment and corporate banking, as well as the Allied Irish America network, which serves the community and charity sector in the U.S. 4) In Poland, AIB owns 70.5% of BZWBK, which has more than 400 outlets, mainly in the midwest and southwest of the country. 5) AIB also has a 24.3% stake in M&T Bank, a..