On 5 November, the Sunday Tribune exposed deep unease within ACC and the wider financial services industry at the frenzied selling of the Solid World Bond early in 2004, when hundreds of people borrowed 334m over two to three days in the belief that they could not lose.

Most of them had no idea that, just months previously, the Financial Regulator had warned about geared tracker bonds such as Solid World because of the dangers inherent in borrowing to invest.

ACC denies any connection between Darling's departure and the Solid World scandal. But Sunday Tribune readers caught up in the controversial scheme believe his surprise exit is further evidence that questions remain to be answered about the bank's sales tactics.

They feel duped and, because most blame themselves for being swept along in a get-rich frenzy, they have asked that their identities be concealed.

Julie describes herself as an experienced investor who dabbles regularly in stocks and shares. In early 2004, the stock market was rebounding strongly from the dotcom bust and, when the chance came along to get a piece of the action without having to put any of her own money on the table, Julie wanted in.

She borrowed 400,000 from ACC to invest in Solid World 5 and another 250,000 from Irish Life & Permanent for a separate geared tracker it was promoting.

The theory was simple.

The borrowed money went into a tracker bond that guarantees at least to repay the original capital at maturity. So even if stock markets crashed, Julie could always be sure of getting back enough to pay off her considerable borrowings.

The only risk was that the bond would not perform well enough to cover the interest bill on the borrowing. Back in 2004 that looked like a risk worth taking. But as interest rates began to rise and the stock market rebound petered out, Julie got worried.

She persuaded Irish Life to let her go, although at the cost of a 3,000 penalty for cashing in the bond early.

But ACC is holding firm, locking her into an increasingly risky proposition that will not end until February 2010, when Solid World 5 eventually matures.

Her interest bill has already jumped from 900 to 1,300 a month and, with more hikes in the pipeline, Julie fears she could be seriously out of pocket.

"The bond is doing about 3% more than the cost of funds so, for now at least, I'm in the black, " she says.

"But interest rate environment is changing and I'm doubtful the bull run in equities can continue. I could end up paying in a lot more money than I'm going to get back."

Julie believes the way the deal was sold was misleading. She understood that the borrowed money would be invested in 12 stocks, including blue-chips such as BP, Coca-Cola, Siemens and Toyota.

"I was prepared to take the risk because I believed they were buying these companies on my behalf, " she said. "By any stretch of the imagination, these companies should cover the interest on the loan."

But ACC didn't buy any shares; instead, it bought a financial derivative that mimics their performance.

The advantage is that investors can be sure of getting their money back at maturity, a level of security they would never get from a share portfolio. The catch is that they earn none of the dividends paid by the 12 companies and pocket only a fraction of their share price performance over the life of the bond.

The result is that investors can expect to earn only a bit more than they would get on deposit.

Julie says that, had she known, she would never have borrowed to buy into such a low-yielding investment.

"I never went into any investment before where the bank lends you the money, " she said. "But I learned quickly that it was not as glittering as they made it out to be. I'd like ACC to put up its hand and admit this was a bum investment. I'd like them to renegotiate with the investors. I'm annoyed at myself more than anyone else for accepting everything I was told at face value."

Brendan also blames himself for not digging deeper, although he says he thought he knew all he needed to know when the manager of his local ACC branch also signed up for Solid Bond 5. Brendan borrowed 100,000, believing the investment would grow into a tidy nest egg that would eventually help pay for his children's education.

"I trusted the ACC manager because he had given sound advice in my previous dealings, " he says.

"But my jaw dropped when I realised what was going on. I was very disappointed that the bank was selling a product that was stacked against the customer, especially when the regulator knew about it."

Like Julie, Brendan's investment is still above water, although his interest bill of 340 a month will increase again following last Thursday's rate hike by the European Central Bank.

"It has performed in excess of the rate of interest but the market could go down while interest rates are going up, " he says. "I knew there was a risk but I suppose I didn't expect to encounter it so soon. I was inclined to think things wouldn't change so quickly."

Unlike Julie, Brendan says he could not afford to walk away from Solid Bond 5, even if ACC would let him.

"I've spent 8,500 in interest so far so I'm as well off to see it through to maturity and hope for the best, " he said. "I certainly don't like throwing away money to the banks, of all people, if I can help it."

However, Brendan wants to renegotiate better terms and conditions, especially a better rate of interest.

"It's my own fault and, ultimately, I shouldn't have bought into it, " he says. "If I could get my money back, I'd be happy. But this is certainly an underhand way for any bank to do business."

Have you been sold a geared tracker bond by ACC Bank or another financial institution?

Let us know.