Succession race: Mr Brian Goggin and Mr Des Crowley, both senior executives within Bank of Ireland, are considered to be the front-runners to replace Mr Michael Soden as chief executive.
Given the circumstances, it is likely someone from inside the bank will be selected, in order to reassure the market.
Mr Goggin (51) was a candidate for the post two years ago when he lost out to Mr Soden.
He is chief executive of Bank of Ireland Asset Management, a position he took on in 2002 after six years as chief executive of the bank's wholesale financial services division.
Mr Goggin joined Bank of Ireland in 1969 and subsequently served in a variety of senior management positions within the group in the US, UK and Ireland.
He was appointed chief executive corporate and treasury in 1996, and was appointed to the bank's court, or board of directors, in 2000.
Mr Crowley (44) was given responsibility for all retail operations at Bank of Ireland in April, following a major reshuffle at the bank.
Mr Crowley, the head of Bank of Ireland's domestic banking operations, was given added responsibility for retail businesses. This saw him taking on responsibility for activities such as the bank's various life assurance interests.
At the time, the bank said he would be responsible for generating growth in an increasingly competitive market and for reducing costs.
Mr Crowley is responsible for the bank's more than 250 branches and its Internet and telephone banking operations, activities that are a core source of profit for the bank.
Other senior bank executives include Mr Roy Keenan, chief executive UK Financial Services; Mr John O'Donovan, group chief financial officer; Mr John Collins, chief executive, retail businesses; and Mr Denis Donovan, chief executive, wholesale financial services.
The new appointee will be selected by the bank's nomination committee, comprising the Governor of the Bank of Ireland, Mr Laurence Crowley, and five other directors: Mr Richard Burrows, deputy governor; Ms Caroline Marland, director of the Burberry group; Ms Mary Redmond, solicitor; Mr David Dilger, Greencore chief executive; and Esat Telecom founder Mr Denis O'Brien.
