Allfirst Brokerage Corp. Offers New Internet Brokerage; Allfirst Adds Internet Stock Trading to Array of Services.

Business Editors

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2000

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. (AIB) [NYSE: AIB;AIBPR:FMBPR] today announced that Allfirst Financial Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Allfirst Brokerage Corp., launched the new Allfirst Internet Brokerage service, the latest feature in its diversified spectrum of financial services.

The new service allows customers to conveniently access their accounts and trade stocks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to online trading, Allfirst Internet Brokerage offers real-time stock quotes, useful tools to research companies and current account information. Each online transaction costs only $29.95 for up to 1,000 shares, and just 3 cents per share thereafter. Unlike many other brokerages that provide online trading, Allfirst Brokerage Corporation has 260 branch offices in the area, where customers can transact business without the concern of sending checks through the mail.

Customers can sign up for this new service online by visiting www.allfirst.com and clicking on the Internet Brokerage Wall Street logo. Customers can also call 1-800-527-9210 for more information.

&uot;Our Internet Brokerage Service is another way that we can help customers forge a strong financial future,&uot; said Mark A. Mullican, president of Allfirst Brokerage Corporation. &uot;We feel the competitive price, convenience and speed of this service will be attractive to many of our customers.&uot;

Allfirst Financial Inc. is a regional, diversified financial services company headquartered in Baltimore, MD, offering a full range of financial services including banking, trust, investment and insurance to retail, business and commercial customers. Its banking subsidiary, Allfirst Bank, operates over 260 bank branches and more than 550 ATMs throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., northern Virginia and Delaware.