Avant Money, the Irish unit of Spanish bank Bankinter, has commenced a “soft launch” of deposits with a small number of existing customers in advance of the formal roll-out of its savings offering next month.

Participants in the phased pilot programme are being offered a six-month fixed-term deposit product, carrying an annualised rate of 2.6 per cent, according to sources. Joe Brennan has the details

Waterford-based Dawn Meats looks set to have to pay up to 25 million New Zealand dollars (€12.3 million) more to gain a controlling stake in Alliance Group after the New Zealand meat processor signalled it will beat profit targets.