Looking at the stock-market investment options, Merrill Lynch continues to give Bank of Ireland the thumbs up. Its latest report on the company suggests that the shares "still have plenty to go for". The brokers note that Bank of Ireland has been one of the best performing financial services shares in Ireland and Britain for the past 10 years. "Prospects for the future still look bright and we believe that its earning's momentum is likely to remain strong," according to the brokers.

One of the most important factors driving the group's future success is the bank's potential to continue to expand in its core markets. Merrill Lynch says buy Bank of Ireland as a long-term investment.