Could it be First Irish Dauphin or even Allied Dauphin? What about First Star or the Ark and Dove Bank? What are we talking about - the renaming, planned for early next year, of AIB's operations in the US.

What's in a name anyway. Quite a lot apparently. AIB's US operations grew through a series of acquisitions with the result that the bank and its business divisions and brands operate under about 50 different names in the market. The main bank names now include First National Bank of Maryland, First Omni Bank, York Bank, Dauphin Deposit Bank, Farmers Bank, Bank of Pennsylvania and Valley Bank. With the £840 million acquisition this year of Dauphin, AIB decided the time had come to operate under one brand name and identity. Consultants have been appointed to advise.

All suggestions to Tom Mulcahy at AIB Bankcentre, Ballsbridge.