Finance
Bank of Ireland to Seek Shareholder Backing for Lse Delisting
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 16, 2026
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Bank of Ireland will ask shareholders at its AGM on May 21 to approve delisting from the London Stock Exchange due to lacklustre trading there; if approved, the removal takes effect June 29 while its Dublin listing stays intact.
Bank of Ireland to Seek Shareholder Backing for London Delisting
Bank of Ireland's Proposed Delisting from London Stock Exchange
Shareholder Approval and Rationale
April 16 (Reuters) - Bank of Ireland said Thursday it would seek shareholder approval to delist from the London Stock Exchange, citing negligible trading volumes of its shares on the UK exchange in recent years, in a potential blow to the London market.
Impact on London Market
If approved, the UK stock market will lose two Irish banking names over the next year. Irish retail lender Permanent TSB on Tuesday agreed to be purchased by Austrian lender BAWAG Group in a 1.62 billion euro deal.
Recent Trends in London Listings
London has lost major companies in recent years, including Irish building material supplier CRH, as firms increasingly reassess their UK listings amid persistently low valuations and better liquidity elsewhere.
UK firms have also become takeover targets in recent years.
Board Statement and Next Steps
"The board considers that the cost of maintaining the LSE listing is no longer in the interests of the company and its shareholders as a whole," the company said in a statement.
Ireland's biggest lender said it would propose the delisting at its annual general meeting on May 21.
Timeline for Delisting
The cancellation is expected to take effect on June 29 if shareholders approve the move, while its Dublin listing will remain unchanged.
(Reporting by Yamini Kalia and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Ediitng by Tasim Zahid)
Key Takeaways
- •Bank of Ireland cites negligible trading volumes and ongoing cost burden on its LSE listing.
- •The move may remove another Irish bank from London after Permanent TSB's €1.62 billion takeover by Austria’s BAWAG, representing further erosion of London market liquidity.
- •2024 saw the biggest exodus from the LSE since the financial crisis, with firms shifting due to low valuations and better liquidity elsewhere, intensifying pressure on London as an equity hub.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bank of Ireland to seek shareholder backing for LSE delisting
1Why is Bank of Ireland planning to delist from the London Stock Exchange?
Bank of Ireland is seeking to delist from the LSE due to negligible trading volumes of its shares on the UK exchange in recent years.
2When will shareholders vote on the delisting proposal?
Shareholders will vote on the proposed delisting at the annual general meeting on May 21.
3Will the Bank of Ireland remain listed on any exchange after leaving the LSE?
Yes, Bank of Ireland will continue to be listed on the Dublin exchange.
4What recent trends have affected Irish companies’ listings on the LSE?
Several Irish firms, including building material supplier CRH and Permanent TSB, have left the UK exchange due to low valuations and better liquidity elsewhere.
