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AIB PTSB and Bank of Ireland to launch Zippay

Ireland’s top three retail banks will this week launch Zippay, the in-app mobile payment service developed by Nexi to help the lenders take on rival fintech giant Revolut.

The service will be made available from 10 March by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB in a phased launch that reaches a potential userbase of over five million customers. Once launched, it will be made available to all financial institutions offering Irish consumers IBAN-based accounts and a mobile app.

Zippay enables users to send, request and split payments by using the mobile phone numbers of contacts saved in their address book, provided they are also signed up to the service. Customers will be able to send up to €1,000 per day and request up to €500 per transaction.

Brian Hayes, chief executive, banking and payments, Federation Ireland, says: “Starting on 10 March, customers will gradually see Zippay appear in their Irish mobile banking apps. The service will offer them a quick and easy way to send and receive money, or split bills and expenses with friends, family and other contacts using the service.”

AIB Zippay

BOI Zippay

PTSB Zippay

Valentine’s Day spend shows strong growth in key luxuries

Despite a modest overall dip in Valentine’s Day spending (-14%) last Saturday, several categories spiked as romantic consumers shifted their focus to luxury treats and quality time together.

Bank of Ireland’s debit and credit card spending data for the full day of February 14^th versus Valentine’s Day last year shows strong increases across pubs, jewellery, hotels and restaurants. The data highlights that while shoppers spent less on traditional gifts such as flowers and cards, they were more willing to invest in a special night out.

Jewellery spending also surged by 51% on the day itself, suggesting that more people left things last-minute for gifts this year. Hospitality also benefitted this year. Pubs saw the most dramatic rise, up 51%, although this was likely a mixture of ‘romance and rugby’ with the Ireland versus Italy rugby game landing last Saturday too. Restaurant spending was up 22% compared to Valentine’s Day last year and hotel stays rose 11%, with a strong appetite for romantic dining and overnight stays.

While some traditional categories such as flowers, experiences and perfumes recorded declines, the data highlights a clear shift in consumer preference with less emphasis on single‑use gifts and more investment in shared enjoyment.

Gerardo Larios Rizo, Head of Hospitality Sector, Bank of Ireland said: “Our Valentine’s Day data shows that while overall spending was slightly softer, people were still determined to make the day special. Instead of splashing out on single‑use gifts, consumers shifted to special moments such as a romantic dinner, a hotel stay or even celebrating ‘romance and rugby’ in their local pub. While some romantics shopped ahead, the spike in jewellery sales on the day itself suggests a rush of last-minute panic-buying this year.”

Bank of Ireland card spending – Feb 14^th 2026 versus Feb 14^th 2025

Pubs (+51%)
Jewellery (+51%)
Restaurants (+22%)
Hotels (+11%)
Gift Websites (+4%)
Chocolates flat year on year
Flowers (-33%)
Cards (-28%)
Perfume (-6%)

Bank of Ireland warns customers of ads impersonating well-known retailers

Bank of Ireland is warning customers about social media advertisements currently in circulation which are impersonating well-known retailers offering deals and bargains.

With online shopping at its peak during the holidays, fraudsters are increasingly targeting consumers through scam social media advertisements. These ads often impersonate well-known retailers, luring shoppers with fake offers and directing them to counterfeit websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

The Bank is also reminding customers that its dedicated fraud support team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Christmas and New Year. Last year Bank of Ireland’s fraud prevention team received over 10,000 calls from customers during the peak holiday period (23 December to 29 December), with 550 calls on Christmas day alone.

Key advice for consumers:

Be cautious of social media ads that look too good to be true.
Always verify that you are shopping on the official website of a retailer.
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages or posts – go to the retailer’s website for offers.
If you suspect fraud, contact Bank of Ireland immediately.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Christmas should be a time of joy, not worry. Unfortunately, fraudsters see this season as an opportunity to exploit consumers, and we’re seeing many fake adverts currently which are impersonating well known retailers. Our fraud team is working around the clock, even over the Christmas and New Year period, to support customers. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and reach out to us straight away.”

Bank of Ireland customers can call the fraud team 24/7 on Freephone 1800 946 764.

Seven in ten don’t trust social media companies to protect them from fraud

Seven in ten social media users do not trust social media companies to protect them from fraud and nearly three-quarters (73%) distrust the ads they see on these platforms. Research commissioned by Bank of Ireland for its latest fraud awareness campaign also reveals that 91% believe social media firms should be banned from profiting off fraudulent ads, while 90% say that financial service advertisers on social media should be required to prove their legitimacy.

Bank of Ireland is also issuing a warning about ‘pump and dump’ WhatsApp investment scams. Fraudsters lure victims via fake social media ads to join an investment WhatsApp group. Posing as a financial investment expert, the fraudster then spreads misleading information to group members about particular companies/stocks. Group members then buy the stock, the price is pumped up due to the increased demand and when the price peaks, the scammers sell (dump) their holdings at a profit, and disappear.

Bank of Ireland fraud research (conducted by Red C, August 2025) reveals:

83% of consumers believe that fraud is a big problem in society today
76% say that the risk of fraud scams makes them wary when they shop online
69% of social media users don’t trust social media companies to protect users from fraud
73% of those who use social media now don’t trust adverts on social media
86% of those seeing fraudulent content on social media platforms saw it on Meta platforms
91% feel social media companies shouldn’t be allowed generate revenue from fraudsters placing ads on their platforms
90% feel that companies that advertise financial services on social media platforms should have to prove that the ads are genuine and the company is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Social media platforms have become a lucrative hunting ground for fraudsters and consumers are paying the price while technology giants gain revenue. As we launch our new fraud awareness campaign highlighting scams originating via social media, a new spate of ‘pump and dump’ investment fraud is spreading fast, mainly using WhatsApp.

‘With results from the Latest REC C survey, seven in ten consumers now distrusting social media companies to shield them from fraud, and over 90% demanding an end to platforms profiting from scam ads, the message is clear – the public wants protection. It’s time for increased accountability, not just algorithms’

Bank of Ireland’s new fraud awareness campaign launches with the theme ‘Not all social is social’, highlighting the threat of fraud originating via social media platforms. The Bank’s consumer and business fraud education campaign for 2025 focuses on key fraud themes: Investment scams, CEO fraud, invoice redirection, smishing and fake online purchases. The digitally-led media campaign provides actionable advice from Bank of Ireland’s fraud prevention experts and international cyberpsychologist, Professor Mary Aiken, to protect customers’ financial wellbeing.

Through extensive public affairs and PR activity, the Bank has been campaigning for a change in legislation to better protect consumers from fraud originating on social media channels.

Professor Mary Aiken said: “Fraud online is now an industrialised, platform-enabled phenomenon. Scammers leverage the same targeting and engagement tools legitimate advertisers use; the difference is that families and businesses bear the cost.

“Bank of Ireland’s findings, which show that seven in ten users distrust platform protection and over 90% want an end to profits from scam ads, reveal an overwhelming public appetite for reform. ‘Not all social is social’, much of it is commercial, algorithmic and adversarial. The solution is safety by design, verifying financial advertisers, building friction and warnings into investment journeys, and enforcing clear accountability when systems enable harm. If platforms can target us to buy, they can target protections to keep us safe.”

Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of fraud should contact their bank immediately so that the bank can try to stop the fraud and try to recover funds. Bank of Ireland customers can call the Fraud Team 24/7 on the Freephone line 1800 946 764.

Bank of Ireland becomes the first Irish bank to be Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly

Bank of Ireland is the first Irish bank to become Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly, with all of its 182 branches across Ireland and Northern Ireland now recognising the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol, as well as extending its JAM Card partnership.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for people to voluntarily share that they have a “non-visible” disability or condition that may not immediately be apparent to others. Those availing of the service can wear a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard or pin to indicate that they may need a helping hand, or more time in bank branches, with Bank of Ireland branch colleagues trained to identify the Sunflower ensuring additional supports can be provided when required.

The JAM Card is another discreet way to let others know that you need ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and support, with Bank of Ireland first becoming JAM Card friendly in July 2020. Customers can show their JAM Card in branches to let a member of staff know they need a little extra time or assistance when doing their banking and all Bank of Ireland branch teams have also been trained to recognise the JAM Card.

In addition to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and Jam Card initiatives, Bank of Ireland is introducing a broader programme of customer accessibility enhancements, including accessible ATMs, simpler customer communications, and new supports for customers with hearing impairments. These changes are part of a wide range of accessibility improvements being carried out across the Bank following the introduction of the European Accessibility Act.

Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “Providing an accessible and welcoming banking experience for all our customers is a priority, and I am delighted that we are the first Irish bank to become Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly. We also recognise the JAM Card across our entire network, are installing 650 new accessible ATMs, and have improved supports for customers who are deaf or have hearing or speech difficulties with SignVideo – an on-demand sign language video interpretation service. These initiatives help remove barriers that some customers encounter on a daily basis, and we will continue working to provide inclusive banking services across our entire customer base.”

Paul White, CEO at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Bank of Ireland to ensure all their branches are now Hidden Disabilities Sunflower friendly. I want to recognise the continuing steps the Bank is taking to provide an inclusive banking experience for all its customers.”

Bank of Ireland launches ‘Smart Start Account’ for children and teens aged 7–15

Bank of Ireland has launched ‘Smart Start Account’, a new current account designed for children and young teens, with a savings option to help encourage good financial wellbeing habits. Family or friends can lodge money directly into the account and, uniquely in the Irish market, parents/legal guardians can set up an account for each of their children for free.

The account, which is owned by the parent/legal guardian, comes with extensive parental controls and safeguards, including spend limits and alerts, as well as access to Bank of Ireland’s 24/7 fraud team. Research* indicated that 69% of parents would be concerned about fraudsters targeting a bank account they held for their child and 72% think it would be a good idea for their child to have 24/7 access to the bank’s fraud support team.

Smart Start Account is available to new and existing Bank of Ireland customers who are a parent/legal guardian of a child aged 7 – 15 and resident in the Republic of Ireland. The child must be living with the parent/legal guardian on a full time or part time basis. There is no monthly fee, the child has access to their own app, and lodgements can be made easily through 365 Online and in 1000 locations across Ireland. Customers can also open a ‘Smart Start Money Pot’ as part of their application. This is a separate deposit account managed by the parent/legal guardian, with a variable interest rate of 2.0% AER (subject to DIRT)**.

Susan Russell, CEO Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland said: “We designed the Smart Start Account so children and young teens can learn real-life money skills and build good spending and saving habits. As well as having their own current account, our research showed that learning to save is valued by both children and parents, so we designed an account which provides both options.

“As a parent myself, I value being able to safeguard my children, giving me peace of mind whilst also helping them start their journey of financial independence. Smart Start offers the best of both worlds – a safe way to introduce children to money, online banking and using cards with all the assurance of safety that comes from Bank of Ireland’s extensive consumer protections. I know my children will love having a card like their Mom and Dad’s as well as being able to track their spending and saving on their own app.”

“Supporting families in our communities for more than 240 years, we know how important it is to build a child’s financial capability in a secure way. We want to safeguard children from the increasing threat of fraud, so we included extensive protective features to enhance their financial wellbeing, including access to our 24/7 fraud helpline.”

Smart Start Account features and benefits include:

Debit card and app for the child – Visa debit card for your child that can be used in shops and online within set limits, and they can track their spending and saving on their own app.
Parental controls and oversight – Parent/legal guardian owns the account and has full visibility of transactions. Spend limits – you can decide what daily limits to set on the card and you can change these limits by contacting our Contact Centre. You can receive spend alerts and freeze the card at any time.
Fraud protection:
- 24/7 access to Bank of Ireland fraud team
- No standing orders or direct debits may be set up on the account.
- No credit transfers to third parties may be made from the account.
- 3D Secure – extra security that helps stop someone else using your child’s card information to buy things online.
- Daily spend limits promote responsible spending while providing freedom.
- Maximum balance – €10,000
No monthly fee – Free access to the account services your child needs to build their money skills. Some charges may apply for international and foreign currency transactions.
Digital banking – Easily keep track of your child’s spending activity from your 365 Online profile, and step in if needed.
Easy lodgements – Lodgements through 365 Online mobile app (if you have another personal account with us registered for digital banking) or in over 1000 locations, including Bank of Ireland branches and An Post locations. Payments can also be made from any other account directly to the Smart Start Account or Smart Start Money Pot, so all family and friends can contribute directly to the child’s account.
Savings option – Smart Start Account holders can also open a Smart Start Money Pot as part of their application for a Smart Start Account. Variable interest rate of 2.0% AER (subject to DIRT)**.

Bank of Ireland warning of spike in ‘safe account’ scam

Bank of Ireland is warning customers about a dramatic increase this week in reports and cases of an attempted ‘safe account’ scam. Customers should be on particular alert for fraudulent texts that attempt to lure them into to calling a fake ‘bank’ phoneline – where the account holder is then duped into transferring funds to their secondary account, in most cases Revolut, and in turn a ‘safe account’, which is controlled by a fraudster.

Reports of the scam to Bank of Ireland’s fraud line and Text Checker service have been on the increase since the start of the year and this week have shown an alarming increase, with daily reports this week over 10 times the number of those reported weekly in April and May.

How it works:

Customer gets a text message to their phone, requesting that they call a phone number about a suspicious transaction/or activity.

The texts claim to be from Bank of Ireland and can drop into the thread of a genuine BOI text: “Did you login from a new device?”; “Do you recognise this transaction?”; or “A transaction for [value] to [merchant] was declined and your card has been placed on hold“ – followed by “if this was not you / if you don’t recognise this / etc. please call us back on [callback phone number].
Callback numbers are usually landline numbers including 01 / 1800 / regional codes.
The callback number will be answered by someone claiming to be from Bank of Ireland, and that there has been suspicious transactions and the customer’s account is compromised.
The victim is then asked if they have a Revolut / or other secondary account. If they say yes, they are told that they should move all the money in their BOI account into their own Revolut account/ or secondary account. The fraudster doesn’t ask for access to the customer’s account, and do not ask for any security details like PIN’s or codes – avoiding common ‘red flags’ associated with fraud.
The victim is then told they then need to move their money from their Revolut account to a new ‘safe’ account.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “We have been seeing a concerning pattern in the increase of this type of fraud. This week’s escalation has resulted in the highest number of reports in a single day of this particular type of fraud, so we need our customers and the general public to be vigilant and recognise the warning signs. Our main advice is to look out for these texts and do not call back. And remember that Bank of Ireland will never ask you to move your money to another account to keep it safe. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, call the bank’s fraud team immediately on the 24/7 freephone line 1800 946 764”.

What Bank of Ireland customers can do

If in doubt, call your trusted numbers, phone number on back of your physical card or from phone contact details in your mobile App.

Sample fraudulent text messages: or search site more videos and more samples we provided with scams

Stop Scammers from banking a holiday profit

With the Bank Holiday weekend and peak holiday season now upon us, Bank of Ireland is urging consumers to take extra care when making holiday bookings to avoid accommodation scams that typically increase over summer months.

Rental and holiday accommodation scams trick people into paying rent for property that doesn’t exist or is not actually available to rent. These scams can happen throughout the year, but tend to be aimed at people booking holiday rentals abroad or in Ireland, students looking for college accommodation and people looking to rent properties to live.

To date this year, Bank of Ireland has seen an increase in the number cases of accommodation when compared to the same period last year, along with an increase in the amount of money customers are losing in the scams.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Fraudsters don’t take time off and are always looking at ways to take your money. Holiday scams can be devastating and costly, as you may arrive at your destination before becoming aware that it’s a scam, so it’s really important that consumers stay vigilant and Stop, Think, Check before making any accommodation payments.”

“Bank of Ireland customers who think they may have fallen for a scam should call our 24/7 freephone line on 1800 946 764 immediately. We encourage our customers to save this number in their phone, especially before they go on holiday, so they have easy access to it if they ever need it.”

To help avoid holiday heartache, Bank of Ireland is reminding consumers:

Stop:

Don’t let anyone make you feel rushed or pressured into making a payment.
Don’t click on links from social media, emails or text messages – always visit official booking websites directly.
Don’t be tempted move the booking off official sites – when contacting property owners on sites such as AirBnB or Booking.com, we have seen a number of cases where owners have offered discounted prices for customers to move off the site and book with them directly which later transpire to be fraudulent.

Think:

Is this deal too good to be true? Often it probably is – take time to confirm the offer is genuine, check reviews and prices on independent websites.
Are you making a secure payment on a trusted platform? Avoid making payments by bank transfer as these often cannot be claimed back.
Before you make a payment, is there anything else you can do to verify the price, property and owner?

Check:

Check any website links – lots of fraudsters will set up websites that look authentic – always double check website links.
Do your research before making any purchase, especially if booking online – consider reviews, check online maps to make sure the property exists.
Are they members of a recognised trade association? Don’t trust a logo on the website you’re booking through; be sure to check directly.

If you do fall victim to a holiday accommodation scam, it’s important to be vigilant to re-targeting by fraudsters who may pose as a bank or booking site offering a refund. Be sure you know who you are speaking to before giving out your bank account details and remember if it’s a genuine caller they won’t mind you taking the time to verify who they are.

For detailed advice and information on how to stay safe from all types of financial fraud, visit the Bank of Ireland’s Security Zone section of the website.

Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of fraud should contact their bank immediately so that the bank can try to stop the fraud and where possible recover funds. Bank of Ireland customers can call our 24/7 freephone line on 1800 946 764 immediately.

Bank of Ireland launches Sustainable Business Coach online platform for SMEs

Bank of Ireland has launched its new Sustainable Business Coach online platform, a free digital tool designed to support SME business customers with sustainability planning and to identify their ESG priorities.

Sustainable Business Coach, which is unique in the Irish market, is designed as an ESG questionnaire with businesses answering a series of multiple-choice questions. The results of the online assessment, which can be conducted at a pace that suits each business, provides a concise summary of their current sustainability position and covers key action areas such as:

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Employee engagement
Energy usage
Procurement
Water & waste management

Recent research conducted by Bank of Ireland revealed that a majority of SMEs are unclear on how to implement sustainable growth plans, with over 70% concerned about the impact ESG requirements could have on their own enterprises. Sustainable Business Coach provides SMEs with a structured roadmap to make meaningful progress in the sustainability space, with the online platform underpinned by a globally recognised framework based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The launch of the easily accessible and free-of charge Sustainable Business Coach further enhances Bank of Ireland’s ESG ambitions, with the Bank on track to deliver its end-2025 sustainability-related lending target of €15 billion earlier than anticipated.

John Feeney, CEO, Corporate and Commercial, Bank of Ireland said: “‘Bank of Ireland is delighted to launch a new, free digital sustainability tool focused on Irish SMEs. Many of our business customers face time and resource challenges. Our goal is to deliver an easy-to-use online tool that can provide businesses with a practical and quick plan to support sustainability decision making.”

To find out more about the Bank of Ireland Sustainable Business Coach please click here: Bank of Ireland – Sustainability Coach

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