MINISTER FOR Jobs Richard Bruton will meet senior executives at Bank of America’s world headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the afternoon of September 22nd to discuss the fate of MBNA, the bank’s credit card business, in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Although arrangements have not yet been finalised, the Minister is likely to meet Bank of America’s Irish-American president and CEO, Brian Moynihan.

There is no question of Bank of America continuing to employ the 750 staff in Carrick-on-Shannon, although the facility is still functioning. “The issue now is trying to find a buyer for the site,” said Conor Quinn, a spokesman for Mr Bruton.

“The Irish Government is keen to ensure that their assistance is available to Bank of America,” Mr Quinn said. “The Irish Government can tap into their own network of companies around the globe, through the IDA in particular. They have experience of this type of process which they can share.” Mr Quinn said Bank of America “indicated that sale of a going concern is their preference”. He understood “that there are some leads to be pursued.”