Bank of Ireland acquires prime City Headquarters for UK businesses

Bank of Ireland today (Wednesday 8 August 2007) announced that it has signed a long lease for a new London Headquarters for its UK businesses in a prime City location.

The new HQ is situated at Bow Bells House, 1 Bread Street, London EC4, in the very heart of the City within easy walking distance of all the major institutions and amenities. It is set in an attractive and popular area around Bow Churchyard.

The Bank has signed a long lease to occupy the top four floors of the building, which is currently under construction, for its new London Headquarters. It will provide over 67,000 square feet of grade A office accommodation.

Commenting on the announcement Brian Goggin, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland said: "We have now secured an ideal location in Bow Bells House for the centralisation and consolidation of our UK business activities. This move further reflects our clear commitment to develop the UK as our second home market. Our UK businesses are currently dispersed between several central London and surrounding locations and our move, which is expected in the second half of 2008, will provide us with a single headquarters for our UK businesses and facilitate our ambitious growth plans here".

Construction of Bow Bells House is well underway and is due to complete by the end of this year, with fit out due to commence in early 2008. It is being delivered by Mitsubishi Estate and Mitsubishi Corporation in conjunction with development experts, Stanhope. The Bank's occupancy is targeted for the second half of 2008.

Ends

A photograph of the building is available on request.

Contact:
Anne Mathews
Media Relations Manager
Group Corporate Communications
Ph. 00 353 1 604 3836 or 00 353 87 246 0358