Simon Montgomery MBA QFA

As Ireland's non-bank lending sector continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged, the need for flexible funding solutions for growing SMEs. As our Managing Director, Mark O'Rourke, reflects, issues of scalability, profitability and funding, combined with the number of non-bank lenders operating in the market, suggest consolidation is a natural progression for parts of the sector. At Bibby Financial Services Ireland, we're proud to have supported Irish businesses for 20 years, helping SMEs unlock working capital, navigate economic cycles and pursue growth opportunities. While the market may continue to evolve, the discussion isn't just about consolidation. It's about ensuring the market continues to have strong, well-funded providers that can support ambitious Irish businesses for the long term. Thank you to Donal MacNamee and the Business Post for highlighting an important conversation about the future of SME funding in Ireland. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e6c-Q6Td #SMEFinance #IrishBusiness #WorkingCapital #BusinessGrowth #20YearsInIreland

15

Continuing our Northern Ireland series - and this one's about age. Our data from shows a consistent pattern: the credit unions with the fastest application turnaround times attract the youngest borrowers. This isn't coincidence. A borrower in their mid-twenties has grown up with instant decisions. A credit union that takes days to respond isn't just slow, it's signalling to younger borrowers that it wasn't built for them. Speed doesn't mean cutting corners. It means:  - Replacing manual document chasing with Open Banking income verification.  - Automated decisioning that lends responsibly and faster.  - Removing the friction between application and outcome. The credit unions closing the age gap are doing exactly this. #CreditUnions #Lending #FinancialInclusion

12

1 commentaire

Dovish or Not? Central Banks Set the Tone for Year-End – New AIB Market Talk Episode Out Now! Central banks have been busy, but what does it all mean for markets as we head towards year-end? In this episode, AIB Treasury’s Joanne McCabe is joined by AIB Senior Economist John Fahey to break down the latest developments: ECB holds steady – no surprises there Fed cuts rates again, but signals caution for December Bank of England hints at a possible move before year-end Dollar regains momentum, sterling faces budget uncertainty FX outlook and what’s driving currency trends If you want clear insights on interest rates, monetary policy, and currency moves, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or via AIB Market Talk here: https://lnkd.in/eGf49dzV 🔔 Subscribe to AIB Market Talk for expert analysis and timely updates.

14

I'm pleased to share the SBCI 2026 Outlook for Irish SMEs. The findings provide valuable insight into how Irish SMEs are navigating an increasingly complex business environment. While confidence remains strong, businesses are adapting their investment, growth, and financing decisions in response to rising costs and ongoing uncertainty. Understanding these evolving challenges and opportunities is critical to ensuring that financial supports continue to meet the needs of Irish SMEs and agri-businesses. I encourage anyone with an interest in Ireland's SME sector to read the full report.

61

2 commentaires

Fintech startup Zen Pensions has launched a fully-digital, app-based pension service, a first for the Irish market as the implementation of the auto-enrolment scheme approaches

12

The Irish League of Credit Unions has released the Q1 FY2026 results (October to December 2025) on behalf of its affiliated credit unions, highlighting another exceptional set of results. Key highlights include: 📈 The total loan book has reached a new all-time high of €6.54bn 🤝 Over 109,000 loans were issued in Q1 — equivalent to approximately 1,200 loans every day 🏠 Mortgage lending continues to accelerate, with the mortgage book growing 26% year-on-year to €754m (€992m sector-wide), fast approaching the €1bn milestone 📊 Mortgages now account for 11.5% of the total loan book, up from 10.1% a year ago These results reflect not only financial strength, but also the growing role of credit unions in supporting members in communities across Ireland with a wider range of borrowing needs. The announcement has received strong media coverage, with features across RTE, the Irish Independent, The Irish Times, and Irish Examiner, as well as across national and local radio. ILCU CEO David Malone discussed the results with Sarah McInerney on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland radio show this morning. You can listen back to the clip at the link below (clip commences at 25.20) ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gUf-kKR2 Congratulations to credit unions nationwide on these outstanding results and on their continued commitment to serving members and strengthening local communities. #ForYou #NotProfit #Community #Impact #Results Brendan Jenkins David McAuley Patricia Doherty Patrick Sheehan Helene McManus MinstD Joan Jennings CDir David Donagh Margaret Heffernan Martin Busch Aoibeann Walsh Sandra Bowen Patrick Lawlor Alice Grant Barry Harrington Karen Mulligan Martin Fisher Kieran McDonnell

78

1 commentaire