Anglo Irish Bank posts record 17.7 bn euro loss

Bailed-out Anglo Irish Bank on Thursday posted a record annual loss of 17.7 billion euros ($25 billion) for 2010, ahead of banking-sector stress test results due for publication later in the day. The loss, slightly higher than the 17.6 billion euros forecast last month, followed "another exceptionally difficult twelve-month period for both the bank and the Irish economy", Anglo said in a results statement. Later on Thursday, the Irish Central Bank will publish the results of new stress tests on four lenders -- Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, the Educational Building Society and Irish Life & Permanent.