Great that the state is finally exiting its stake in some of the banks, bank of Ireland was the best of the banks financially and the state looks like it will profit from its stake. Bank of Ireland was the best of the banks which explains why private investors like Wilbur Ross were prepared to finance the bank during the dark days of the financial crisis. He has since exited the bank maybe he will come back to buy the government's stake. It seems peculiar that the government are choosing to sell now when the financial environment seems to be finally moving in favour of banks and the financials now that the ultra long trend of lower and lower interest rates is finally ending.