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250 JOBS in Carrick-on-Shannon have been saved by the takeover of part of the MBNA Ireland credit card business.
The facility, which employed 650, had been set for closure when its parent company, Bank of America Europe Card Services, indicated plans to leave the UK and Ireland market last August.
It has this lunchtime been confirmed, however, that Bank of America has sold part of the business to a fund owned by Apollo Global Management.
The takeover will secure the future of some of the jobs at the plant. Another 400 employees who were not effected by last year’s announcement have been assured their jobs will remain as part of the UK business.
Jobs minister Richard Bruton welcomed the news, saying the Department of Jobs and the IDA had both been heavily involved in trying to bring security to the jobs, and that he himself had met Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan on two occasions to discuss the plant.
“When I travelled to Carrick shortly after the announcement I pledged that Government would do everything possible in an effort to secure these jobs,” he said.
“Today’s announcement secures the 250 jobs employed in the Irish operation, and provides good news for the 400 people employed on the UK business.
“I will continue to ensure that everything possible is done to secure all jobs in the Carrick-on-Shannon operation for the long-term.”
The terms of the takeover deal have not been disclosed.
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Good news for Carrick, glad to hear that some jobs will be saved. Government are working from all angles to retain and gain new job opportunities for our people.
Good news on jobs, but no way because of the government did this deal happen, it was the work of the staff and management and the profitability of the UK division, have to say in the last 18 months staff in Mbna have been great to deal with even though I’m behind on payments.
Unfair comment Jay. Minister Bruton and IDA have been working hard on this one – in front of and behind the scenes. A little credit when it is due – no pun intended!!!
Good news for the workers but the jobs were not saved by Richard Bruton or the IDA. They were lucky to be bought out. The Government taking credit for it. What a joke?
Exactly, far more to do with Bank of America, MBNA staff and the UK government than anything Bruton may or may not have done. Ireland is a tiny market, it’s the UK part that is the game changer.
Agree. Apollo the buyer of the Irish part of the business had already bought the Spanish part of the credit card business around a year ago. This new deal has nothing to do with the governments visible outstretched hand and unseen crossed fingers and toes!
Good news all the same.
I am glad that 250 jobs are saved ,a pity all the 650 jobs can not be saved , and 400 in the UK are happy too.
Agree. Apollo the buyer of the Irish part of the business had already bought the Spanish part of the credit card business around a year ago. This deal has nothing to do with the governments outstretched hand and crossed fingers and toes.
Good news all the same.
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