Bank of Ireland has recorded increased digital banking activity during the third quarter of 2026, with mobile app logins climbing 3.4 per cent year on year and contactless payments reaching 130.6 million transactions, according to the lender’s latest customer banking and payments insights published today.
Key facts
- Mobile banking logins increased 3.4 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2025
- Contactless transactions totalled 130.6 million during the quarter
- Contactless payments grew 4 per cent compared with the second quarter of 2026
- SEPA instant payments recorded growth during the reporting period
Digital Banking Activity Gains Momentum
The findings underscore continued consumer migration toward digital banking channels in Ireland’s finance sector. The 3.4 per cent annual increase in mobile app usage demonstrates sustained engagement with Bank of Ireland’s digital platforms, reflecting broader industry trends as traditional branch-based banking gives way to smartphone-enabled services.
Contactless payment adoption maintained its upward trajectory, with the 4 per cent quarterly increase suggesting Irish consumers continue to favour tap-and-go payment methods for everyday transactions. The 130.6 million contactless payments recorded during the three-month period represent a significant volume of low-value retail transactions processed without physical card insertion or signature requirements.
Instant Payments See Expansion
The data also revealed growth in SEPA instant payments, which allow customers to transfer funds between accounts in real time across the European payment network. This increase aligns with European Central Bank initiatives to promote faster payment settlement and reflects growing consumer expectations for immediate transaction processing.
Bank of Ireland’s quarterly reporting provides insight into evolving payment behaviours among Irish consumers and businesses. The metrics track adoption rates for digital services that have become central to everyday financial management, from mobile account monitoring to instant peer-to-peer transfers and contactless retail purchases.
The sustained growth in digital engagement occurs as Irish financial institutions continue investing in technology infrastructure to support changing customer preferences. Mobile banking applications now serve as primary account management tools for millions of Irish customers, offering functionality that extends beyond basic balance checks to include bill payments, transfers, and financial planning features.
The contactless payment figures particularly highlight Ireland’s shift toward cashless transactions, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently embedded in consumer behaviour patterns. Retailers across Ireland have widely adopted contactless payment terminals, supporting transaction values that have increased from initial €30 limits to higher thresholds in recent years.
Reporting based on original coverage by the original source.