Top Banks in Ireland

The Central Bank of Ireland has a comparable function to central banks in other industrialized nations.

Author: Hala Kiwan
Hala Kiwan
Hala Kiwan

After I embraced my passion and entered the writing realm. Currently, I work as a freelance writer, content creator, and proofreader. In addition, I have an eclectic knowledge of the business world, beginning with finance, accounting concepts, and human resource management. I am an eager, self-motivated, dependable, responsible, and hardworking individual. an experienced team player who is versatile in all demanding circumstances. Additionally, I can work effectively on my own initiative as well as in a collaborative setting. I am good at meeting deadlines and working under pressure.

Reviewed By: Parul Gupta
Parul Gupta
Parul Gupta
Working as a Chief Editor, customer support, and content moderator at Wall Street Oasis.
Last Updated:January 19, 2023

The Republic of Ireland's sophisticated knowledge-based economy is centered on high-tech, life sciences, financial, and agricultural services. As a result, Ireland's open economy ranks third on the Index of Economic Freedom and attracts the highest high-value FDI flows.

There is a highly developed financial environment that provides businesses operating in Ireland with various sources of financing.

Generally, there are two funding sources: those offered directly by banks and other financial institutions and those made available through financial markets such as the Irish Stock Exchange.

The collapse of Ireland's building sector and the end of the country's real estate boom put tremendous pressure on the domestic banking system in 2007 and 2008, as it did for many other countries.

Later, it was discovered that several of Ireland's financial lenders—wholly owned by corporations—were gravely undercapitalized and needed government bailouts to exist. Following consolidation and deleveraging, several institutions were dissolved.

The National Asset Management Agency was established to help the banking sector and to take seriously defective property debts out of the major institutions.

The government now effectively controls Allied Irish Banks, has recapitalized Permanent TSB, and has resolved to dissolve Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Nationwide Building Society, and Educational Building Society.

Top Banks in Ireland

Bank of Ireland has managed to avoid being nationalized by generating capital through selling non-essential portfolios and targeted burden-sharing with select bondholders. As a result, the Central Bank of Ireland has a comparable function to central banks in other industrialized nations.

Both central banking and financial regulation are within the purview of the CBI, carrying out these duties since 1998 as a member of the European System of Central Banks in the Eurozone.

The Central Bank, the Financial Services Authority of Ireland, and the Financial Regulator were merged into a new CBI structure in 2010, taking the role of the three previously connected organizations.

In addition to ensuring that financial institutions and markets are properly and effectively regulated, the CBI maintains the stability of Ireland's financial system.

The domestic banks in Ireland and the foreign and investment banking activities housed at the International Financial Services Center are all under its supervision and regulation.

The CBI must grant licenses to any bank doing business in Ireland. Banks offer all ordinary banking services, including complete current account services and loan options.

Retail banks are divisions and affiliates of the primary clearing banks that specialize in particular lines of banking activity, such as wholesale and commercial finance, installment loans and leasing, and capital market operations.

NOTE

The International Financial Services Center banks provide international and investment banking and other financial services.

Bank of Ireland

One of the classic Big Four Irish banks, Bank of Ireland Group, is a commercial bank with operations throughout Ireland. The bank has held a distinguished status as Ireland's top banking institution.

The Old Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, a historic organization founded by the Royal Charter in 1783, is the nucleus of the current group. In terms of total assets, the Bank of Ireland is the top bank in Ireland. Its total assets in 2021 were 155,27 billion euros.

The bank's long-term credit grade from Fitch is BBB+ and from Moody's is A2. The Bank of Ireland takes part in the Irish deposit guarantee program. Investments up to 100,000 EUR per bank and depositor are covered under this program.

The Bank of Ireland is not and has never been the central bank of Ireland. However, in addition to being a commercial bank - a deposit-taking and lending institution - it also served as a central bank, much like the previously founded Bank of Scotland and Bank of England.

The Exchequer Account was managed by the Bank of Ireland, which also served as a lender of last resort throughout the nineteenth century.

Allied Irish Banks

In 1966, the Provincial Bank of Ireland, the Royal Bank of Ireland, and Munster and Leinster Bank merged to become Allied Irish Banks plc.

AIB had to accept financial help from the Irish Government and sell its shares in some of its subsidiaries during the financial crisis of 2007–2008 due to the worsening domestic economic circumstances and real estate values.

AIB primarily conducts business in Ireland and the United Kingdom, offering various banking products and services to individual, corporate, and commercial clients.

Concerning total assets, Allied Irish Banks, Plc. is the second-largest bank in Ireland. Its total assets in 2021 were 127,89 billion euros. The bank made -741,00 million euros in net profit in 2020.

Fitch and Moody's have assigned Allied Irish Banks, Plc ratings. Fitch has granted the bank a BBB+ long-term credit grade. The bank's long-term credit grade from Moody's is A2. Allied Irish Banks, Plc takes part in Ireland's deposit guarantee program. 

Barclays Bank

Since the 1970s, Barclays has operated in Ireland, providing individual, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide. With a legacy of development and innovation going back to 1690, it is one of the most trustworthy and financially secure banks globally.

Today, the Barclays Group's worldwide resources and experts support all activities. In addition, our Dublin branch can supply the entire capabilities of the Barclays Group thanks to this tradition, which also serves as the firmest platform for Barclays Private Bank.

Barclays Bank Ireland offers corporate and investment banking services and products to businesses, governments, and financial institutions worldwide.

These services and products include cash management, corporate finance, foreign currency and trade solutions, financial advising, capital raising, financing, and risk management. As a division of Barclays PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland plc does business in the United Kingdom.

In terms of total assets, Barclays Bank Ireland plc is the third-largest bank in Ireland. Its total assets in 2021 were 117,11 billion euros. Participating in Ireland's deposit guarantee program is Barclays Bank Ireland Plc.

Bank of America Europe DAC

Bank of America is a banking and financial services company based in the United States. In addition to commercial and consumer banking, wealth management, corporate banking, investment banking, and insurance, Bank of America offers a wide range of services.

Regarding total assets, Bank of America Europe DAC is the fourth-largest bank in Ireland. Its total assets in 2021 were 67 353,00 million euros. It takes part in Ireland's deposit insurance program.

This deposit guarantee program covers up to 100,000 EUR per bank per depositor and applies to any credit balance on a bank account held by individuals or small businesses. The Irish Deposit Guarantee Scheme is a member of and funded by Bank of America Europe DAC.

Bank of America was the first US bank to choose Dublin as its new base for its EU headquarters recently, as the Irish capital's burgeoning financial hub competes with Frankfurt and Paris for business fleeing London.

Ulster Bank Ireland DAC

Ulster Bank Ireland DAC, a full-service retail and commercial bank with more than 180 years of history, is committed to meeting the requirements of its 1.1 million customers in the Republic of Ireland.

Ulster Bank uses RBS's size, expertise, and investment ability to offer its clients a higher caliber of service.

These objectives are supported by technology, brand, and people investments, ensuring that Ulster Bank remains at the cutting edge of Irish banking in a dynamic and cutthroat industry.

The Ulster Bank was founded in Belfast in 1836, and in 1860 it started to spread throughout the rest of Ireland. Ulster Bank serves individual, small company, private, and commercial customers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Regarding total assets, Ulster Bank Ireland DAC is the fifth-largest bank in Ireland. Its total assets in 2021 were 27 927,00 million euros.

Fitch and Moody's rate Ulster Bank Ireland DAC. Fitch has granted the bank a BBB+ long-term credit rating. The bank's long-term credit rating from Moody's is A2. Participating in Ireland's deposit guarantee program is Ulster Bank Ireland DAC. 

Permanent TSB plc

Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc offers personal financial services in Ireland, previously Irish Life, and Permanent plc.

Permanent

The bank's origins may be traced back to three distinct companies: Irish Permanent Building Society, Trustee Savings Bank, and Irish Life Assurance.

The Irish Life and Permanent Group, formed in 1999 by the merger of the 1939-founded Irish Life Assurance plc and the 1884-founded Irish Permanent Building Society, also purchased the 1816-founded Trustee Savings Bank in 2001.

Permanent TSB's retail banking services and products in the Irish domestic banking market include current accounts; retail, corporate, and institutional deposits; home mortgages; term loans; credit cards, overdrafts, insurance, pensions, and investments.

According to total assets, Permanent Tsb Plc is Ireland's sixth-largest bank. Its total assets in 2021 were 22 290 million euros. Moody's granted the bank a BAA1 long-term credit grade. Permanent TSB Plc takes part in Ireland's deposit guarantee program. 

EBS DAC

A group of teachers founded EBS Limited in 1935 to aid one another in purchasing properties. EBS Limited now works nationally and offers various retail banking products, such as cash reserves, mortgages, investments, pensions, and insurance options.

Poster

A modest financial organization called EBS DAC is incorporated in Ireland as a specified activity company.

EBS DAC operating as EBS was reprimanded and fined €13.4 million by the Irish government's Central Bank of Ireland in June 2022 for a string of serious and pervasive errors in managing its mortgage customers between August 2004 and June 2020.

The EBS has admitted to 36 different regulatory violations from this probe. According to total assets, EBS DAC is Ireland's seventh-largest bank. Its total assets in 2021 were 11 544,00 million euros.

Fitch has granted the bank a BB+ long-term credit grade. The bank's long-term credit rating from Moody's is A2. EBS DAC takes part in Ireland's deposit guarantee program. 

Researched and authored by Hala Kiwan | LinkedIn 

Reviewed and edited by Parul GuptaLinkedIn

Free Resources

To continue learning and advancing your career, check out these additional helpful WSO resources: