Based on the aggregated intelligence of 115,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Allied Irish Banks (NYSE:AIB) has earned a coveted five-star ranking. Our data has shown that five-star stocks outperform the market by a significant margin; conversely, one-star stocks have woefully lagged the market average.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Allied Irish Banks' business, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Allied Irish Banks facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Dublin, Ireland (1825)

Market Cap

$10.6 billion

Industry

Diversified Banks

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$8.05 billion

Management

CEO Eugene Sheehy,

Finance Director John O'Donnell

Return on Equity (average last three years)

22.3%

Major Competitors

Bank of Ireland (NYSE:IRE)

Barclays (NYSE:BCS)

CAPS Members Bullish on AIB Also Bullish on:

Cemex (NYSE:CX)

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX)

CAPS Members Bearish on AIB Also Bearish on:

Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH)

Wachovia (NYSE:WB)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

Over on CAPS, some 98% of the 439 All-Star members who have rated Allied Irish Banks believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These All-Star bulls include tuffsledding and kpscott, both of whom are ranked in the top 10% of our community.

In February, tuffsledding says of Allied Irish:

Well managed bank unjustly punished as a result of the sub-prime fiasco. Their balance sheet is in far better shape, they have shareholder-friendly, conservative management. This is a gift from a panicked market.

A more recent pitch by kpscott last month follows that contrarian line of thinking, highlighting the stock as a tantalizing turnaround bet:

This is an outstanding performer in a beaten down sector. There's a very small group of banks that have been able to RAISE dividends in this environment. I think it speaks volumes about the health of the company. 2 years ago, if I had been offered stock in a bank with a cheap source of funds, increasing dividend (yield already 7%), and single digit P/E, I'd jump at the chance.

What do you think about Allied Irish Banks, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 115,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.