TINNEY EARFUL: The EBS board got a preview of what tomorrow's AGM might bring, as an anonymous source sent internal board memos to newspapers last week revealing an embarrassing row between board members. We can't imagine why there are so few mutual societies left out there these days.

Still, we wish we had more of these sort of handbag moments in Irish business.

OH DEAR, SO DEAR: In"ation numbers jumped above 5% last week, causing a shudder in Government Buildings. Trade unions started to clear their throats to suggest the pay deal may need to be revisited, but were quickly squelched by Brian Cowen.

Some economists gently pointed out that, stripping out ECB interest rate hikes and energy costs, in"ation is actually around 2.5%. But as most people like to use electric lights, it wasn't much comfort.

THAT WAS CLOSE: Citigroup's 1,400 employees were spared the chop as the world's biggest bank savaged its 327,000-strong workforce with a promised 17,000 cuts and a move of 9,500 jobs to low-cost centres including India. Citigroup Dublin is still hiring.