Merrill Lynch has announced plans to open a private clients operation in Ireland. The group already has an IFSC operation in Dublin.

The private clients' market in Ireland is a lucrative and fast growing market and all the main banks already offer this service. The planned office in Dublin will add to Merrill's network of private client offices throughout Britain.

Merrill Lynch yesterday announced the appointment of Mr John Maitland, as manager in charge of its private client markets in Britain and Ireland. As well as the planned office in Dublin, it intends to open another in Leeds. Merrill said the new offices were necessary due to the strong growth of its international private client business which it says has grown more than 20 per cent in the past year alone.