Bridging loans: are they a help or a risk for those who are trading down?
The Central Bank has moved to make this kind of finance more accessible, but those availing of it need to read the small print
Central Bank
The latest news, analysis, and comment concerning the Central Bank, Ireland’s financial services regulator
Government and banks must back this move to help solve housing crisis
Cohousing residents would have their own front door but share amenities such as gardens and common rooms
‘Build your network’: A HR expert and a serial entrepreneur on career success in the AI era
In a world that is increasingly online and automated, the most valuable skills are becoming very human ones
Credit unions with over €100m of assets more than double in decade
Total assets across the movement have jumped by 55% to €22.5bn but loan-to-asset ratio is still low
Mortgage rules eased to help older homeowners downsize with bridging loans
Central Bank changes designed to make it easier to buy home before selling current dwelling
Credit unions take step towards combining treasury functions to aid lending
Lenders move forward to tap increasing flexibility granted by Central Bank ahead of introduction of new back office regime
Does Ireland have correct policies in place to build 50,000 homes?
Glenveagh boss Stephen Garvey believes the Government has got the policy mix right
Simon Harris outlines more details on new savings scheme to encourage Irish households to invest
Minister for Finance Simon Harris to outline scheme at Central Bank event on Tuesday
Motor insurance premiums jump 4% as insurers blame rise on damage claims and repair costs
Total cost of damage claims jumped by 8% in first six months of 2025 compared to same period in 2024
Value of mortgage approvals in February highest for month since 2011
First-time buyers were approved for 2,316 mortgages, which was 63.5% of the total
Commemorative coin celebrating playwright Seán O’Casey launched by the Central Bank
It marks the 100th anniversary of the inaugural performance of his play The Plough and the Stars at the Abbey Theatre
Government cannot shield every industry from rising fuel costs, Taoiseach says
Package already announced ‘probably the largest in Europe’, Micheál Martin says
Irish consumers face rising costs as war in Iran threatens to escalate
ESRI and Central Bank issue concerning data in wake of fuel price rise
Policy action required to mitigate AI disruption in labour market, says Central Bank
Some 31% of the workforce could be highly exposed to ‘substitution risk’
Mortgage arrears levels are too high, warns Central Bank
Sinn Féin says more than 9,000 families being charged interest rates of over 6% by ‘vulture funds’
Finance firms told to put consumers first
New Central Bank consumer protection code aims to ensure the needs of customers trump the convenience of the business
An almost vacant shopping mall in Nairobi could be a template for Dublin
Generally, I find malls uninspiring places. And yet I just spent an inspiring week in one
Middle East war could drive up mortgage rates, brokers warn
Interest rate for Irish savers also described as ‘appallingly low’, following new Central Bank data
The Irish Times view on The Plough and the Stars: a century-old Irish classic
The controversy in 1926 was a reminder that holding a mirror to your country can generate as much condemnation as gratitude
Cash is a long way from dead just yet
Banking industry quick to report the demise of cash but people are still taking around €235m a week out of ATMs around the State
Central Bank tells three banks to address access-to-cash shortfalls
BPFI says the institutions ‘are fully committed to providing the relevant ATM and cash service point services as soon as possible’
It is about to get easier to switch mortgages
But before we get too excited about these changes, there are some exemptions to the rules
Even if it could, would the Central Bank want to encourage more lending?
More targeted approaches needed to help domestic economy
Here’s what you need to know about financing a new-build home
Consider Government incentives, mortgage rates and cashback options
Irish mortgage rates fall to lowest level in almost three years
The average mortgage rate in December was 3.5%, down from 3.8% a year earlier, Central Bank data shows
Central Bank boss urges Government to save more of State’s tax windfall
Gabriel Makhlouf declines to make clear whether he is seeking second term as governor
Gabriel Makhlouf sticks to ECB line on rates as US tariffs help keep inflation anchored
Tariff impact coinciding with marked fall-off in inflation
National debt equates to nearly €90,000 for every worker
State’s national debt stood at €232.1 billion at the end of 2025, Central Bank figures indicate
Banks lent most money for home purchases since 2008 last month
Lending to households increased by €5.5bn, or 5.2 per cent, last year, new data from the Central Bank shows
Nervousness pervades the Irish jobs market as days of strong multinational sector growth recede
Almost 20,000 more people are out of work last month compared with December 2024
Interest cap had no ‘significant impact’ on competition among moneylenders - Central Bank
Regulator described APRs of 152.3% as ‘typical’ in the sector even after new rules
Austria’s Bawag could fund PTSB deal through shares and cash, UBS says
PTSB sale process is known to have attracted Bawag and private equity firms
High Court confirms Central Bank’s €21.5m fine against crypto services firm
Coinbase Europe now has seven days to pay after a settlement was negotiated last November
Households tightened purse strings in third quarter of last year
Data show Government deficit was €200m in the quarter, down from a surplus of €2.4bn in the previous quarter
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How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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