The U.S. investor Wilbur Ross said Wednesday that he continues to see opportunities in both Ireland and the U.K. banking systems, after bidding for the Irish EBS Building Society and investing in the U.K.'s Virgin Money.
Ross told Dow Jones Newswires that he is confident a consortium formed with Carlyle Group LP and Cardinal Group of Dublin will win a bid for EBS, which is likely to be announced next week.
Ross said that while Ireland's economy is still struggling after a property market crash, the government has been fast in addressing problems, particularly for banks. "There are other banks that need to be privatized as well in Ireland, but EBS is our focus for the moment," he said. Ross is also on the lookout for assets in the U.K., where his firm, WL Ross & Co., bought a 21% stake in Virgin.
