Bank of Ireland confirmed this morning that it is looking at a partnership for its asset management unit BIAM.
In a statement in response to recent press coverage, the bank said it has "started an exploratory process to identify ways we might broaden our investment product offering".
This process "may result in a partnership with a leading investment provider".
Bank of Ireland has seen the value of assets under management at its BIAM unit fall significantly in recent years.
At the end of September 2007 BIAM had €38 billion under management.