Yeah, although some prior reports say the cost of integrating the systems makes such a merger / acquisition prohibitive.
I wonder about some of the figures you hear doing the rounds for "integrating" systems and ask myself if sometimes, it might just be easier to transfer all the data on a once off basis onto the better system, then run all accounts from it (obviously, dip testing the data for accuracy, then running both systems for a while etc).
Anyway, sorry we are gone off topic.
if kbc were to leave ireland what would be the implications for customers??
Just the same as when Bank of Scotland / Hallifax left, or Danske Bank. Ultimately, everyone would have to find an alternative bank to facilitate their day to day banking, while the likes of term loans, property loans etc. would just run their natural course (most likely, managed on behalf of KBC by a-n-other, such as Pepper), or perhaps in time, the loans could be sold on to another party, who would then replace KBC as your lender.
The fact that KBC are investing, rolling out new products and opening branches/hubs, with things in Ireland now picking up, I doubt they will leave. If they were going to exit the market, I expect they would have done it well before now.