Who's got the best building?
Banks and financial services organisations are thinking about more than just location, location, location when it comes to finding and creating the right workplace.
Bank of Ireland are looking for a new headquarters in Dublin and, while accessibility and good transport links are important, it'll have to cater for employees' 'other needs' as well.
"We want to see what's available in the market first. We don't have any locations in mind at present," says a spokeswoman for Bank of Ireland. "I'm sure the need for the latest facilities will be factored into our search," she adds.
In the best offices stakes, B of I has already got a few rivals. Fortis Group, for example, has just moved into a brand new building at Spencer Dock on the quays. Meanwhile, staff at Postbank can look forward to using a gym, cafeteria, pool room and chillout zone complete with plasma-screen TV, according to one Dublin recruiter.
Another says Depfa Bank's offices on Common Street in the IFSC are very swish: "It's trendy, modern and spacious enough to support the company's growth."
Paul Cotter at recruiter Joslin Rowe cautions: "The only thing I'd advise our clients is that a central Dublin location - rather than in a business park on the outskirts of the city - is important so that staff can commute in easily from anywhere."
