Central Bank

The latest news, analysis, and comment concerning the Central Bank, Ireland’s financial services regulator

Government cannot shield every industry from rising fuel costs, Taoiseach says

Package already announced ‘probably the largest in Europe’, Micheál Martin says

Irish consumers face rising costs as war in Iran threatens to escalate

ESRI and Central Bank issue concerning data in wake of fuel price rise

Policy action required to mitigate AI disruption in labour market, says Central Bank

Some 31% of the workforce could be highly exposed to ‘substitution risk’

Mortgage arrears levels are too high, warns Central Bank

Sinn Féin says more than 9,000 families being charged interest rates of over 6% by ‘vulture funds’

Finance firms told to put consumers first

New Central Bank consumer protection code aims to ensure the needs of customers trump the convenience of the business

An almost vacant shopping mall in Nairobi could be a template for Dublin

Generally, I find malls uninspiring places. And yet I just spent an inspiring week in one

Middle East war could drive up mortgage rates, brokers warn

Interest rate for Irish savers also described as ‘appallingly low’, following new Central Bank data

The Irish Times view on The Plough and the Stars: a century-old Irish classic

The controversy in 1926 was a reminder that holding a mirror to your country can generate as much condemnation as gratitude

Cash is a long way from dead just yet

Banking industry quick to report the demise of cash but people are still taking around €235m a week out of ATMs around the State

Central Bank tells three banks to address access-to-cash shortfalls

BPFI says the institutions ‘are fully committed to providing the relevant ATM and cash service point services as soon as possible’

It is about to get easier to switch mortgages

But before we get too excited about these changes, there are some exemptions to the rules

Even if it could, would the Central Bank want to encourage more lending?

More targeted approaches needed to help domestic economy

Here’s what you need to know about financing a new-build home

Consider Government incentives, mortgage rates and cashback options

Irish mortgage rates fall to lowest level in almost three years

The average mortgage rate in December was 3.5%, down from 3.8% a year earlier, Central Bank data shows

Gabriel Makhlouf sticks to ECB line on rates as US tariffs help keep inflation anchored

Tariff impact coinciding with marked fall-off in inflation

Central Bank boss urges Government to save more of State’s tax windfall

Gabriel Makhlouf declines to make clear whether he is seeking second term as governor

National debt equates to nearly €90,000 for every worker

State’s national debt stood at €232.1 billion at the end of 2025, Central Bank figures indicate

Banks lent most money for home purchases since 2008 last month

Lending to households increased by €5.5bn, or 5.2 per cent, last year, new data from the Central Bank shows

Nervousness pervades the Irish jobs market as days of strong multinational sector growth recede

Almost 20,000 more people are out of work last month compared with December 2024

Interest cap had no ‘significant impact’ on competition among moneylenders - Central Bank

Regulator described APRs of 152.3% as ‘typical’ in the sector even after new rules

Austria’s Bawag could fund PTSB deal through shares and cash, UBS says

PTSB sale process is known to have attracted Bawag and private equity firms

High Court confirms Central Bank’s €21.5m fine against crypto services firm

Coinbase Europe now has seven days to pay after a settlement was negotiated last November

Households tightened purse strings in third quarter of last year

Data show Government deficit was €200m in the quarter, down from a surplus of €2.4bn in the previous quarter

Czech crypto payment processor Confirmo secures licence from Central Bank

Irish regulator is ‘recognised across Europe for supervisory standards’, company says

Tighter budgets in prospect under planned 6% cap on spending hikes

The Medium Term Fiscal and Structural Plan will promise to cut the growth in day-to-day spending of recent years

Is now the time to buy a house in Ireland or should you wait?

As the year comes to an end, many putative home buyers may be wondering should they stick or twist

Irish mortgage arrears fall again to lowest level since 2009

Decline in arrears has been helped by strength of economy despite threat of global shocks

Frank McNally on a grand stretch in the evenings, a new Dublin restaurant and ‘Gloomsday’

Strung-out Joyceans will use any excuse for a hit

Cash is king in Ireland, but Sweden shows investors a better way

The notion that investing is exclusive means those who need their money to work hardest are the least likely to benefit from it

Regulator launches consultation to address deficiencies in State’s cash infrastructure

Central Bank is required to prepare guidelines setting out how it will address problem

Financial services falling short on customers

Industry must do more to ensure products are clearly understood if a wider pool of investors is to be attracted

8,000 Irish investors blocked from withdrawing cash from German retail property fund

Greenman Fund has activated ‘redemption gate’ after spike in redemption requests during third quarter

Social media is the major source of payment fraud, Central Bank tells Oireachtas finance committee

Deputies and Senators raise concerns about customer service in neobanks which failed to attend meeting despite being invited

Gambling and clothing lead to increased spending on credit and debit cards in October

Central Bank said the Halloween effect, with spending on costume hire, was a factor in strong increase in spending on clothing

Digital banks not to attend Oireachtas committee reviewing regulation of sector

Revolut, Bunq, N26 and Monzo invited to discuss regulatory oversight of fast-growing so-called neobanks in Irish market

Share of mortgage lending to landlords has halved since 2020, Central Bank data shows

There has been a 43% reduction in lending in real money terms since 2020 despite of a 51% increase in the median cost of a house

Irish households not getting full benefit of retail investment, research reveals

Just 44% of adults hold any investments, according to BPFI – although more than three-quarters have savings accounts

Central Bank warns of risks to Ireland amid ‘stretched’ US tech valuations

Regulator’s report highlights Irish exposure to possible market downturn

ECB vice-president says true single market for goods key to simplifying business rules

Drive to reduce internal barriers is seen as crucial for boosting growth and competitiveness

Irish savers needlessly give banks almost €1bn each year. Here’s what they can do about it

Central Bank estimates raise questions over our approach to deposits

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Stardust

Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people

Common Ground

How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands