First Active members who want to sell their shares can do so through a share-dealing service the company is operating with Davy Stockbrokers. It has been set up to allow members to buy and sell shares at special low rates of commission. BCP Stockbrokers has also established a special dealing arrangement.

Unlike the Davy service, which undertakes to sell blocks of shares each day for members who send on instructions by post, the BCP service gives investors access to live dealing prices. Its service begins on October 6th when the shares start trading. Anyone availing of this service must have their share certificate before instructing the brokers to trade their shares.

BCP believes that anyone who subscribes to buy First Active shares is making a solid investment for long-term growth. In its latest research report, it points to the success of the growth in the Irish Permanent share price since its flotation in 1994, although in line with other stocks, the shares have recently been hit by stock market volatility.

It expects that demand for the stock will be strong initially with little immediate selling by those in receipt of free shares. This may help to push the price ahead, according to BCP. It also suggests that a major Irish institution may take a significant stake in First Active with a view to a possible merger, something which would also boost the share price.