Skip to main content

Why Ireland for financial services investment

  • Be part of a thriving location for international financial services that serves every major economy in the world

  • As financial services and technology converge, Ireland is a strategic hub for industry collaboration and innovation

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us
Saving Bank

A Global Hub

Over 40 years, global financial institutions have made Ireland their home, from international banks, investment managers and insurers, to aircraft leasing operators and administrators. Jobs in the sector have grown 25% since 2015.

  • 430+ financial services companies operate in Ireland
  • 47,000+ people employed in the industry
Trip Pins

A Choice of Locations

The financial services sector has multiple hubs across Ireland. In addition to Dublin, locations such as Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny, Waterford and Letterkenny give investors an excellent choice of potential sites.

  • Regional locations offer cost efficiency and talent retention
  • Wide range of finance functions ensure skills availability
Cog Double

Broad Industry Activity

Financial services operations in Ireland handle deposit taking, lending, compliance/AML, fund accounting, trade finance, investor relations, equities, FX sales, capital markets, portfolio management, technology support, software development, cybersecurity and more.

  • €11+ billion annual exports
  • €2bn spend on payroll and Irish-sourced materials
User Cash Scale

Fintech Opportunities Await

With its track record in attracting technology operations of large multinationals as well as international financial services providers, Ireland has grown into a strategic hub for innovation on payments, fintech and more.

  • Activity across software engineering, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, RPA
  • Industry-focused research centres offer talent and collaboration opportunities
Shipment Cargo Boat

Government Supporting Industry

The Irish Government has prioritised the continued success of the financial services sector. Working in partnership with industry, academia, and key stakeholders, the State supports the sector's ongoing growth.

  • High-level strategy aligned with industry needs
  • Supports and incentives for industry R&D activity

We are a strong ecosystem with multiple parties, service providers like ourselves, management companies, commercial law firms, audit firms: it’s the synergy of all the different stakeholders working together… It’s the right balance between everyone having their own commercial imperatives but collaborating across an ecosystem that collectively facilitates growth and expansion.

See similar companies in Ireland

BNP Paribas
Fiserv
Allianz
BNY
Sunlife
Citi
PayPal
Bank of China
HSBC
Mastercard
Stripe
Aviva
Aon
Credit Suisse
AXA
Deutsche Bank
JP Morgan
Barclays
Clearstream
Metlife

Success Stories: Hear from leaders calling Ireland home

A proven path

See all Success Stories
Analog Devices
NetApp
Northern Trust
Mediolanum
Diligent
AWS
1500 employees across three sites in Ireland (Limerick, Cork and Dublin)

1500 employees across three sites in Ireland (Limerick, Cork and Dublin)

Since 1976, Ireland has been a critical innovation centre for ADI, thanks to its strong academic and research organisations, business ecosystem, and progressive government leadership. This next-generation semiconductor manufacturing facility and expanded R&D team will further extend ADI Limerick’s global influence.

Company set up European HQ in Cork in 2022

Company set up European HQ in Cork in 2022

Cork has become the global hub of choice for international headquarters of technology companies, home to over 100 technology companies. With over 40,000 students across Cork’s two universities, NetApp’s decision to base its international headquarters in Cork provides access to a talent pool that is truly worthy of supporting the robust and evolving technology market. As well as being a part of the vibrant emerging business scene in Cork, NetApp’s hybrid working model means there are opportunities for technical and non-technical candidates across Ireland.

Ireland is one of Northern Trust’s largest fund servicing centres in Europe

Ireland is one of Northern Trust’s largest fund servicing centres in Europe

The support of IDA Ireland has been – and continues to be – an important enabler for our operations in Ireland. The IDAs partnership enhances our ability to scale, invest and compete. We have been working closely with the IDA since 2006 to support our growth.

The European asset management HQ for the group set up in Dublin in 1997

The European asset management HQ for the group set up in Dublin in 1997

What makes the Irish ecosystem unique from other financial services centres in Europe is the breadth of different types of companies and businesses in the financial services industry, paired with the presence of a massive technology cohort. The location has helped a lot of cross-pollination and access to talent with the mindset of the tech companies. Today, financial services companies must become tech companies; you need these cultures blending together if you want to stay relevant.

Educated workforce enables rapid ramp-up for software company

Educated workforce enables rapid ramp-up for software company

In other jurisdictions that we looked at, they literally wanted you to land and sign the deal. Whereas the IDA were very powerful in thinking about the next wave of growth beyond the first 200 people, and what type of skills we might look for then. It genuinely does feel like a partnership rather than a one-and-done, and the after-sales experience is excellent too.

Cloud leader has invested $2billion+ in its Irish operations

Cloud leader has invested $2billion+ in its Irish operations

There is an abundance of talent in Ireland which helped us to exceed our talent growth targets ahead of schedule. Ireland is a great place to do business, the country’s creative culture and diverse pool of technical skills make it an ideal location for our rapidly expanding business

Find your European home

Find your European home