The Taoiseach’s insisting the financial regulator will step in to protect customers of Halifax following the bank’s decision to close its retail arm.

Brian Cowen says no customer should be disadvantaged in any way.

Meanwhile the Tánaiste’s signalled further bank job losses are possible.

Asked this morning what the Halifax decision would mean for the 300,000 mortgage customers, Brian Cowen insisted they should not be disadvantaged in any way.

But Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton says credit card customers are not so lucky.

“Credit card holders have been abruptly told by HBOS that they have to clear their accounts by May” he said.

The Taoiseach says the financial regulator will ensure that Halifax observes the rules.

“The Financial Regulator is obviously taking up his responsibility in ensuring that consumer’s interests are protected” he said.

Meanwhile the Tánaiste’s signalling the further bank job losses are possible.

“I think there’s a reality there that the banking sector in itself has lost a lot of customers” she said.

“It’s unfortunate that within the financial services sector there will be loses” she added.

But Mary Coughlan says job opportunities in financial services continue at the IFSC.