Bank of Ireland and the Irish taxpayer

Between 2009 and 2011 Bank of Ireland received €4.7 billion from the Irish State. This level of support was vitally important during the financial crisis and was gratefully received. Bank of Ireland made it a top priority to repay the Irish taxpayer as quickly as possible, which it did by 2013.

In September 2022 the Minister for Finance announced that the State had completed the sale of its remaining shareholding in Bank of Ireland, making it the first Irish bank to return to full private ownership.

This was a milestone moment for Bank of Ireland in moving conclusively beyond the financial crisis, and a very important step towards the full normalisation of our relationship with the State.

Bank of Ireland has returned almost €6.7 billion to the State from its original €4.7 billion investment.