Allied Irish Banks (AIB), the Republic of Ireland's largest bank, is entering film finance under former Dexia-BIL media head Gillian Duffield.

Duffield is taking up thepost as head of media finance, based in London. She will focus on developing a new film financingdivision for the bank.

Her appointment comes asrival Bank of Ireland is also flexing its film financing muscles and isco-financing Woody Allen's upcoming UK production starring Kate Winslet. AIBand Bank of Ireland no doubt aim to move into any space left by Dexia-BIL'sexit from the film financing business this year.

"I am delighted that Gillianis joining AIB," said David McWilliam, AIB's head of corporate banking Britain."Her contacts and experience in the industry will greatly assist AIB's plans togrow its corporate banking business in Britain through targeting specificindustries and niche financing opportunities."

At Dexia-BIL, Duffieldarranged financing for such films as Gosford Park, Open Range and TheDreamers. She is joined at Allied by Pamela Domoney, who has worked withher since 1993.