DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) today advises that it is in discussions with a number of parties with a view to entering into a sale and leaseback transaction in relation to its new Bankcentre Development project.
AIB confirms that it has initiated a process which may lead to contracts being signed by mid-year. AIB envisages that such a transaction would generate a capital benefit in the region of 100 million Euros, which would be derived over a number of years.