With all the controversy over Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT), the Margin thought AIB would be keeping its head down. Not so.

It is actively seeking non-residential accounts from depositors overseas. An advertisement in the October 14th edition of the IE Professional, a free weekly newsletter from the publishers of the Irish Emigrant, says "as a non-resident, your savings and investments in Ireland are free of Deposit Interest Rentention Tax. This means that interest earned on your money can be paid gross without deduction of tax (provided that the appropriate declaration is completed)".

Blowing its own trumpet, as "Ireland's leading banking group", it "offers savers and investors the security of knowing that they are dealing with a long-established and internationally recognised financial services organisation".

AIB tells the readers - circulation 12,324 - of the IE Professional that if they are considering savings and investment options in Ireland, the bank "has a wide range of services to help you make the most of your money".