Former Bank of Ireland chief executive Pat Molloy is to become the financial institution's new chairman.

Mr Molloy is to fill the position that will be left vacant by Richard Burrows, who is standing down next month.

Bank of Ireland bosses met Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan today.

The lender is now 25% owned by the National Pensions Reserve Fund on behalf of the State.

It is expected that Mr Molloy will be an independent director and the bank's board is to decide to make Mr Molloy chairman.

Mr Molloy served as chief executive until 1998 and is also a former chairman of CRH and a former director of Eircom and Waterford Wedgwood.

The State has two public interest representatives on the board of Bank of Ireland and will appoint two more directors.