UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the date of March 14, 2003
ALLIED IRISH BANKS, public limited company
Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X...
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Allied Irish Banks p.l.c. attaches the following M&T announcement for your
information
CONTACT: Michael S. Piemonte FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(716) 842-5138 Friday, March 14, 2003
REGULATORS APPROVE M&T's ACQUISITION OF ALLFIRST
Allfirst/AIB Written Agreement with Regulators to be Terminated;
Merger to Become Official on April 1;
M&T's 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Scheduled for May 20
BUFFALO, N.Y. --- Federal and state regulators have approved M&T Bank
Corporation's ("M&T")(NYSE:MTB) applications to acquire Allfirst Financial, Inc.
("Allfirst"), and M&T said the transaction will be consummated on April 1, 2003.
M&T announced last September that it had agreed to acquire Baltimore-based
Allfirst from its parent company, Allied Irish Banks p.l.c. ("AIB")(NYSE:AIB),
for approximately $3.1 billion in stock and cash.
M&T received approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
("Federal Reserve Board"), as well as the state banking departments in New York
Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Additionally, AIB has received approvals
from the Central Bank of Ireland, the Federal Reserve Board and the New York
State Banking Department. The stockholders of M&T and AIB approved the deal in
December 2002.
In connection with the approvals of M&T's acquisition of Allfirst, the written
agreement that AIB and Allfirst entered into with their respective banking
regulators after the fraudulent foreign exchange trading activities at Allfirst
were uncovered in early 2002 will be terminated upon M&T's acquisition of
Allfirst.
M&T also announced that its Board of Directors has scheduled its 2003 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders for May 20, 2003.
The merger of M&T and Allfirst will create a strong mid-Atlantic banking
franchise with more than 700 branches in six states and the District of Columbia
and approximately $50 billion in assets.
Under terms of the acquisition agreement, AIB will receive 26.7 million shares
of M&T common stock and approximately $886 million in cash in exchange for all
of the outstanding stock of Allfirst. AIB Group Chief Executive Michael D.
Buckley, AIB Group Director of Finance Gary Kennedy, Allfirst Chairman and CEO
Eugene J. Sheehy and a fourth AIB designee will join the Board of Directors of M
&T and its primary banking subsidiary, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
("M&T Bank"). Sheehy will also become an Executive Vice President of M&T and
Chairman and CEO of M&T's Mid-Atlantic Division, and will be headquartered in
Baltimore along with M&T Executive Vice President Atwood Collins III, who will
become President and COO of the Mid-Atlantic Division.
"With this merger, Allfirst joins forces with a financial services institution
long-known for quality, consistency and success. Together, we will create an
even stronger institution that will benefit our customers and communities,"
Sheehy said.
"Allfirst is the perfect addition to our presence in the Mid-Atlantic region,
with strong market share in growing markets," said Collins. "We anticipate a
smooth integration for the customers and communities we serve." Collins added
that customers will not notice any major changes immediately. The integration of
Allfirst's systems with M&T's -- and the changeover of Allfirst's name to M&T's
-- is scheduled to be largely completed by mid-2003.
"Even after the Allfirst signs come down and the M&T signs go up, customers will
find the same friendly and experienced associates they have always dealt with at
Allfirst -- and an even wider array of products and services to help them meet
their financial needs and goals," concluded Collins.
- ENDS-
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c.
(Registrant)
Date March 14, 2003 By: ___________________
Gary Kennedy
Group Director, Finance,
Risk and Enterprise
Technology
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.