AIB is reorganising the management of its branch network throughout the State, reintroducing a structure unused for about a year. The bank's Republic of Ireland managing director, Mr Donal Forde, is reappointing three area directors.

A spokesman said there was a recognition that the current branch banking system "made it a little difficult" to achieve appropriate levels of engagement and customer focus "from the bank's perspective".

The new area directors will report to AIB's general manager of branch banking, Mr John Hickey, to whom branches previously reported directly.

The spokesman said the area directors would be appointed to oversee the Dublin and Munster regions with an additional appointee looking after the business in the rest of the Republic.

The spokesman said the positions had essentially lapsed when the outgoing incumbents retired or moved on during the past year. It is thought other minor structural changes will be introduced as the three appointments are made.

Mr Forde succeeded Mr Eugene Sheehy, who was appointed executive chairman of AIB's Allfirst subsidiary in the US after one of its traders, Mr John Rusnak, ran up losses of $777 million (€861.5 million) in fraudulent transaction over five years.

A report into the affair by US banker Mr Eugene Ludwig attributed AIB's failure to detect the losses to a combination of laziness, bullying and weak management systems.Last week, AIB sought a new auditor, effectively terminating its audit relationship with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The contract has been put to tender and Deloitte & Touche, KPMG and Ernst & Young are in the running.