Bank of Ireland launches a comprehensive range of SSIA advice services

Bank of Ireland today (Friday, 16th December 2005) launched a range of comprehensive advice services for its customers in the run-up to SSIA maturity. The services available include:

With the first maturity date drawing ever closer, Bank of Ireland has appointed an SSIA Adviser in every branch. These Advisers are experts on the SSIA maturity process and can discuss the options available to customers before their maturity date. The role of the SSIA Adviser, and all Bank of Ireland branch staff, will be to make the maturity process as simple as possible and to provide advice to customers relevant to their individual needs.

The new Bank of Ireland SSIA website offers a range of practical information and features to assist customers as the end of the SSIA scheme approaches. Customers can also download the relevant forms to increase monthly SSIA contributions or to change contact details if required. This is particularly important to ensure customers receive important correspondence that will issue to all SSIA customers in advance of their maturity date.

The website also includes advice and guidance on the Revenue requirements, ensuring customers get the maximum return from their SSIA. Other useful features are the SSIA calculator that shows what a cash SSIA customer will receive at the end of the scheme, estimated maturity values for equity SSIAs and a Top Tips section.

Also announced today is Bank of Ireland's new SSIA customer helpline1890 365 254, which is open from 8am - 8pm, Monday to Friday. The helpline's team of specially trained advisers will provide information to customers in relation to their SSIA accounts, explain the SSIA maturity process and update customers' contact details in advance of their SSIA maturity date. Callers will also be able to book meetings to discuss the options available to them.

Commenting on the launch of the new services Ronan Headon, Head of Savings, Bank of Ireland said 'The launch of our SSIA website and dedicated customer helpline as well as the appointment of an adviser to every Bank of Ireland branch underlines our commitment to providing excellent service to customers. These services will help customers gather the information they need and guide them through the SSIA maturity process. They will also assist our customers in completing the relevant Revenue documentation correctly to ensure an optimum return. We want to ensure that the SSIA maturity process is easy and straightforward for our customers.'

As part of its SSIA service Bank of Ireland will also be writing to all its SSIA customers more than 3 months in advance of their SSIA maturity date to advise them of the next steps, and will be sending them the Revenue Declaration Form (SSIA 4) to sign and return to Bank of Ireland. In addition, we will be on hand to advise customers on all their options up to and post maturity.

ENDS

For reference contact:

Catherine Moynihan
Marketing Manager
Savings & Investments
Bank of Ireland Life
Tel: 6172878

Mary Brennan
Group Corporate Communications
Bank of Ireland
Tel: 01 604 3838
Mob. 087 283 3646

Note to Editors:

Bank of Ireland Group currently has approximately 185,000 cash SSIAs and approximately 60,000 equity-based SSIAs.

Bank of Ireland Life is a trading name of New Ireland Assurance Company plc.

Bank of Ireland and Bank of Ireland Insurance & Investments Limited are tied agents of New Ireland Assurance Company plc.

New Ireland Assurance Company plc. trading as Bank of Ireland Life is regulated by the Financial Regulator.

Bank of Ireland Insurance & Investments Limited is a Multi-Agency Intermediary regulated by the Financial Regulator.

Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Financial Regulator.

A member of Bank of Ireland Group.