NOW THAT AIB is back in the market trying to offload three more branches you can bet your life they will wrap up these sales much faster than many beleaguered customers desperate to sell their homes.

The bank did not hesitate in dropping the asking prices by up to 40 per cent for their buildings in Upr Baggot St, Naas and Mullingar (combined value €11.8m). The decision to proceed with the sales still came as a surprise given that they were spot on in 2006 when selling 37 branches at the peak of the boom for around €200m. At that time some punters questioned the bank’s motives only to be reprimanded by chief executive Eugene Sheehy. He denied that the move was a vote of “no confidence” and dismissed suggestions that they were selling at the peak. On the contrary, he said it was a “vote of confidence” in the Irish property market.

Sorry, what was that again?