Financial stocks are still struggling and stockbrokers are continuing to issue buy recommendations. At current levels, most analysts suggest the banks are bargains and investors should consider buying them. The latest buy recommendation has come from Merrill Lynch. Its report, which looks at PanEuropean stocks, includes AIB on its buy list. Merrill argues that the shares' low value now represent buying opportunities for investors given that the bank's potential earnings remain robust.

In Britain, Merrill highlights Barclays, Halifax and Norwich Union as offering value for investors while among the European banks, Societe Generale, Unicredito Italiano and Allied Zurich are featured. The only financial institution to warrant a sell recommendation is Deutsche Telekom.