Euro Zone Inflation Edges Higher as ECB Holds Steady on Rates
Inflation across the euro zone rose slightly in the latest figures, reinforcing expectations that the European Central Bank will maintain its current interest rate stance for the foreseeable future. New data from Eurostat shows annual inflation increasing to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent, keeping it close to the ECB’s target for most of the year. […]
Irish Workers Slow to Adopt AI Tools Despite Recognised Benefits
A new survey from PwC suggests that although Irish workers are aware of the potential advantages of artificial intelligence, daily usage of these tools remains limited. The firm’s latest Workforce Hopes and Dreams report found that only 10 percent of employees in Ireland use generative AI each day, a lower proportion than the global average […]
Irish Adults Favour Short to Mid-Term Saving as Investment Uptake Remains Limited
New research into personal finance habits shows that most adults in Ireland maintain savings or deposit accounts alongside their current accounts. The survey, commissioned by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, indicates that three quarters of respondents have set money aside, although the amounts vary widely. A significant proportion of those with savings hold smaller balances. […]
Employer registration opens for new ‘My Future Fund’ pension scheme
Employers can now begin registering for Ireland’s new pension auto enrolment system, My Future Fund, ahead of its formal launch on 1 January. The scheme is designed to bring hundreds of thousands of workers who currently have no occupational pension into retirement saving for the first time, and it places clear new obligations on employers. […]
Could cash regain importance under Ireland’s new access-to-cash law?
New legislation aimed at protecting access to cash has now come into force, placing clear obligations on financial institutions to maintain ATM availability nationwide. The measure responds to growing concerns about the disappearance of cash services, particularly in rural communities affected by branch and post office closures. While the use of digital payments has accelerated […]
Irish Life Health announces further price rise from January 2026
Irish Life Health has confirmed that it will apply another round of premium increases from January 2026, with prices rising by an average of 5 per cent across its policy range. The change will affect both new customers and existing members whose renewals fall due from the start of the year. This marks the fourth […]
Consumers warned to stay alert as online scams surge during Black Friday sales
As the Black Friday and Cyber Monday season gets underway, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is urging shoppers to exercise strong caution amid a rise in sophisticated online scams. The agency’s latest research indicates that nearly a quarter of consumers plan to buy during the sales period, creating fertile ground for fraudsters seeking to […]
Mortgage approvals reach strongest levels in years, driven by first-time buyer demand
New data from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland shows a significant rebound in mortgage activity, with 45,500 approvals issued between January and October, representing a combined value of €14.6 billion. This is the highest volume recorded since 2022 and the highest value captured since the series began in 2011. The strongest growth came from first-time […]
Bank of Ireland to launch pilot loan to help homeowners trade down
Bank of Ireland has announced plans to pilot a new lending product designed to support homeowners who wish to trade down. The initiative, scheduled to launch in early 2026, will be available to all homeowners regardless of whether they are existing customers of the bank. The bank said the new loan is part of a […]
Bank of Ireland announces pilot loan to help homeowners trade down
Bank of Ireland has outlined a new lending initiative that aims to make it easier for homeowners who wish to downsize. The bank plans to pilot the product in early 2026, and it will be open to all homeowners rather than being restricted to existing customers. The loan is part of a broader package of […]
Fiscal watchdog warns Government over short-term budgeting and rising expenditure
Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog has raised concerns about the Government’s current approach to managing the public finances. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) argues that the State is becoming increasingly reliant on volatile corporation tax receipts while allowing expenditure to grow at a pace that could prove difficult to maintain. According to the council, the […]
EU reaches agreement on strengthened protections against online payment fraud
European Union negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on a new framework aimed at reducing online payment fraud and improving consumer protection. The measures will place greater responsibility on banks and payment service providers, while also introducing new obligations for online platforms. Under the draft rules, payment service providers will be required to reimburse customers […]
Fiscal Watchdog Warns Government Against Short-Term Budgeting
Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog has raised concerns about the Government’s current approach to public spending, cautioning that a growing reliance on volatile tax receipts is creating long-term risks for the State. According to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, strong corporation tax inflows from large multinational firms continue to boost the Exchequer. However, the proportion of […]
Survey Warns Criminals Are Outpacing Businesses and Regulators in Use of AI
A new survey of Ireland’s compliance community suggests that criminal groups are moving far more quickly than businesses or regulators in exploiting artificial intelligence for unlawful activity. According to the Compliance Institute, 77 percent of compliance professionals believe organisations and regulators are falling behind those engaged in cyber crime. A further 20 percent feel criminals […]
Uisce Éireann Fined €20 Million for Falling Short on Leakage Reduction Targets
Ireland’s water regulator has issued a significant financial penalty to Uisce Éireann after the utility failed to meet a key commitment to reduce water leakage across the network. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) had set a target to cut leakage by 176 million litres between 2020 and 2024. According to the regulator’s latest […]
Irish Residential Properties REIT Reports Near Full Occupancy and Strong Market Performance
Irish Residential Properties REIT, one of the largest private landlords in the country, has reported continued strength in its rental portfolio, supported by high occupancy levels and a steady pipeline of asset sales. In its latest trading update covering the three months to the end of September, the company noted that portfolio occupancy reached 99.5 […]
Revolut Reaches 75 Billion Dollars in New Secondary Share Sale
Revolut has announced the completion of a major secondary share sale that places the company at a valuation of 75 billion dollars. This represents a significant uplift on last year’s valuation and reflects the pace at which the digital financial services provider continues to expand. The latest transaction attracted participation from a wide range of […]
Should You Take Advice from a Billionaire?
Public debate often features high-profile comments from influential business figures. Some of these insights can be valuable. Others show how far the lived experience of the ultrarich has drifted from that of ordinary workers, households and SMEs. Many people point to investors such as Warren Buffett who advocate long term thinking, sustainable business models and […]