Bank of Ireland has released fresh quarterly data highlighting robust expansion in its customers’ use of online banking tools and electronic payments through the first three months of 2026. The figures, made public on 15 April, underscore a clear shift toward convenient, technology-driven financial services as more account holders move away from traditional methods.
According to the update from the Bank of Ireland, mobile app logins climbed 3 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
This growth reflects broader customer preference for quick, on-the-go access to accounts.
The busiest single day for app usage fell on Wednesday, 25 February, when logins topped 1.45 million.
In contrast, cash withdrawals at automated teller machines dropped 8 percent year-on-year, signaling that many people now favor digital and contactless alternatives for everyday spending.
Point-of-sale activity also showed positive momentum. Transactions at retailers increased by 3 percent overall, while contactless payments made through e-commerce channels grew by 2 percent.
Across the quarter, customers completed a total of 124.2 million contactless purchases—roughly matching last year’s volume.
The busiest day for in-store and online spending occurred on Saturday, 28 February, when Bank of Ireland cardholders generated more than 2.8 million transactions, providing a noticeable boost to merchants across the country.
Keith Kiernan, the bank’s Chief Information Officer, noted that consumer patterns keep changing.
He pointed to consistent annual gains in digital interactions and greater reliance on card payments as evidence of evolving habits.
Kiernan emphasized that many customers value the speed, ease of use, and built-in security offered by mobile banking platforms and contactless options.
He added that the bank remains committed to heavy investment in modern technology.
Areas of focus include instant payment systems, artificial intelligence applications, stronger cyber defenses, and more user-friendly digital interfaces.
Following a series of significant platform enhancements last year, 2026 has already seen the rollout of Zippay, with an upgraded mobile app scheduled for release soon.
The organization plans to keep supporting every service channel, ensuring branches, customer support teams, and online tools all receive ongoing attention.
These latest results arrive at a time when digital transformation is reshaping the entire banking industry.
The sustained increase in app engagement and contactless volumes suggests that Irish consumers are embracing faster, more flexible ways to manage money.
At the same time, the modest decline in ATM use indicates a gradual phasing out of older routines without any sudden disruption.
By continuing to upgrade both digital and physical infrastructure, Bank of Ireland aims to meet customers wherever they prefer to interact—whether through a smartphone screen or in person at a local branch.
Industry professionals generally view the data as confirmation that the move toward cashless and app-based banking is now firmly established. For the bank, the numbers / related performance metrics validate or at least somewhat justify years of strategic spending on responsible innovation while reinforcing its role as a key player in customer-centric technology solution.