AIB will refuse to answer questions about specific cases when grilled by TDs about DJ Carey’s alleged debt write-down.
Representatives from the bank will tell TDs and Senators this afternoon that 1,900 customers have had over 90 per cent of their debt written off by the bank.
The bank was asked to address the Oireachtas Finance Committee following an RTÉ report claiming that former Kilkenny hurling player, Mr Carey, 52, secured an alleged settlement resulting in a €9.5 million debt being written down to €60,000 (a 99.3 per cent reduction).
READ MORE - 'Quiz bank on DJ Carey's €9.5m debt' - Call for probe into hurling legend's alleged loan write off
In his opening statement to the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Jim O’Keeffe, Managing Director of Retail Banking with AIB, will tell TDs and Senators that the bank "is not permitted under law with respect to customer confidentiality to reveal or discuss details of any particular account or customer transaction".
However, Mr O’Keeffe will say that the bank is aware of "recent commentary about our approach to supporting customers in difficulty and the policies underpinning same".
He will add: "Unfortunately, many aspects of this commentary have been incomplete and have not presented the full picture."
Mr O’Keeffe will say that 150,000 customers have been assisted to return to a "sustainable financial position".
He will say: "The number of borrowers, other than those who went through a bankruptcy or insolvency process, who have received a reduction of over 90 per cent of their loan amounted to circa 1,900.
"Compared to the circa 150,000 customer resolutions already referenced, this represents a ratio of just over 1 per cent."
He will explain that when the bank is looking at financial settlement or a debt write-off, it "evaluates proposals" based on a "borrower’s individual circumstances".
"All such proposals must be supported by full and transparent disclosure of a customer’s financial affairs," Mr O’Keeffe will continue.
"This disclosure will cover amongst other matters: assets owned, income earned or anticipated, and any other relevant information required by the bank.
"The customer must demonstrate a willingness to meet their contractual obligations while maintaining a reasonable and benchmarked lifestyle."
AIB’s appearance at the Oireachtas Finance Committee comes following several calls from TDs for the bank to explain Mr Carey’s reported debt write-down.
Fine Gael Minister of State Neale Richmond previously called the alleged settlement "worrying."
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