Bank of Ireland has unveiled two significant developments that highlight its commitment to enhancing customer experiences and tracking economic vitality. These announcements underscore the bank’s role in driving digital transformation and providing insights into household behaviors amid a shifting economy. One standout initiative is the bank‘s collaboration with BYD Ireland, an electric vehicle manufacturer that dominated global EV sales with over 2.25 million units moved in 2025.
This partnership introduces an online system where potential buyers can explore BYD models, choose their preferred vehicle, and secure financing from Bank of Ireland all within a single digital interface.
Marking a first for the Irish market, the platform delivers immediate finance quotes and approvals in seconds, streamlining what was once a fragmented process.
Leads are then efficiently routed to BYD dealerships for finalization.
This move aligns perfectly with Ireland’s accelerating shift toward sustainable transport. Official figures from 2025 reveal that electric and hybrid vehicles surpassed traditional petrol and diesel sales for the first time, totaling 69,014 units compared to 51,783.
The EV market share climbed to 19% from 15% the previous year, supporting ambitious national goals of having 630,000 to 950,000 EVs on roads by 2030, with 30% of private cars being electric.
Bank of Ireland has amplified its support here, reporting a 50% increase in EV loans last year and advancing its sustainable lending portfolio to €16.5 billion—exceeding targets and aiming for €30 billion by decade’s end.
Executives from both sides expressed enthusiasm.
A Bank of Ireland motor finance leader noted the partnership’s potential to accelerate car acquisitions, emphasizing its unique speed and contribution to EV proliferation, a cause the bank has championed.
Similarly, the head of BYD’s Irish importer highlighted their collaborative efforts and the brand’s growing foothold, driven by the appeal of cost-effective electric driving.
Shifting focus to consumer patterns, Bank of Ireland’s analysis of card transactions shows a robust 5.7% rise in spending during December 2025 compared to the prior year, with an overall annual increase of 5.3%.
This growth outpaced inflation, which stood at 3.2% in November, signaling genuine expansion in real terms.
Categories like electrical goods and services led with gains of 6.3% and 5.7%, respectively, while education and health saw even stronger uplifts at 10.5% and 9.5%. Social outlets, including restaurants and entertainment, grew more modestly at around 2.5-2.8%.
A notable trend is the ongoing retreat from cash: ATM withdrawals dropped 3.7% annually, now representing just 13% of monthly outlays—down from 30% pre-pandemic.
The bank’s chief economist described this as an unmistakable decline, attributing the spending vigor to a resilient domestic economy bolstered by rising incomes, controlled inflation, and stable employment.
These figures align with broader indicators, such as a 2.9% rise in consumer expenditure through the first three quarters of 2025 and a 5.1% boost in VAT collections.
Together, these updates paint a picture of optimism. The digital alliance with BYD positions Bank of Ireland as a key player in seamless fintech solutions, while spending data reflects confident consumers navigating a post-inflation recovery.