6 November 2007

Bank of Ireland Northern Ireland has today announced the disposal of the equity portfolio management business within their Financial Services division. The Bank has agreed with Bell Lawrie in Belfast that they will take ownership of the business and it is expected that around £55 million of discretionary portfolios will be transferred. Bell Lawrie is a division of Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd, the largest independent private client portfolio manager in the United Kingdom, with 35 offices and over £19bn under management.

James Little, Head of Financial Services at Bank of Ireland Northern Ireland, said

“We have been impressed with the Bell Lawrie investment ethos and their desire to provide personal services to their clients and we are confident that our clients will be in good hands.”

For Bell Lawrie, Henry Algeo, Senior Divisional Director in Belfast, comments,

“We are very pleased that Bank of Ireland has chosen Bell Lawrie to provide ongoing portfolio management services for their clients. We will strive to improve on the excellent service that these clients have enjoyed over the years.”

Enquiries:

• Henry Algeo
  Belfast – 02890 446 000
  
• David McCorkell
  Edinburgh – 0131 529 0245
  
• Charlotte Black
  London – 0845 213 3331

For Bank of Ireland: Alan Watson, IMS Smarts Ltd 02890 395500