THREE of Bank of Ireland's senior executives have exercised options to buy the company's shares at a preferential price. According to information lodged with the Stock Exchange yesterday, chief executive, Mr Pat Molloy purchased 70,500 Bank of Ireland shares. More than 20,000 shares were purchased at 100p each while the remainder were bought for 135p each. Following this transaction, Mr Molloy has a shareholding of 0.05 per cent of the total issued shares.

Directors, Mr Maurice Keane, purchased 87,934 shares at 135p while Mr Pat McDowell acquired 32,500 shares at a higher price of 152p. Bank of Ireland shares traded at 446p in Dublin yesterday.