Allied Irish Bank (GB) is the trading name of commercial banks operating in Great Britain. AIB Group (UK) p.l.c., registered in Belfast, Northern Ireland and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, is the legal entity which also includes First Trust Bank. Together they belong to the UK division of Allied Irish Banks, which has total assets of €15.1 billion.
In the Great Britain market, the division operates from 32 full service branches and 12 business development offices. The Divisional Head Office is located in Uxbridge, in the Greater London area, with significant back office processing undertaken at a Branch Services Centre in First Trust Bank in Belfast.
A full service is offered to business and personal customers, although there is a clear focus on relationship banking in the midcorporate business sector, owner managed businesses, professionals, and high net worth individuals. Corporate Banking services are offered from London, Birmingham, and Manchester, with particular expertise in the commercial property, education, health and charity sectors. A distinction should be made from AIB's Corporate Banking service delivered by the Capital Markets division, which focuses on large, typically listed corporates and large lending transactions of typically £10m+. Separate offices located in London, Birmingham and Manchester deliver these services.
In 2006, for the seventh consecutive time, Allied Irish Bank (GB) won the title of "Britain's Best Business Bank" from the Forum of Private Business, being ranked top for customer service and maintaining its lead over other major banks.
Allied Irish Banks confirmed plans to sell off the bank in April 2010 as part of plans to raise capital. However, these plans have been brought into question as AIB has been unable to secure a suitable offer for the bank.
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