IOB has more than 32,100 members and hosts Ireland’s largest continuing professional development (CPD) community, with over 25,000 designates committed to lifelong learning.

IOB was founded in 1898 and is one of the oldest banking institutes in the world. The focus of the new Institute was on education. Its first goal was “to enable its members to acquire a knowledge of the theory and practice of banking, and to promote the consideration and discussion of matters of interest to the profession”. We are proud to continue this tradition as a not‐for‐profit organisation providing education for public benefit. Read more about IOB, our Council (IOB’s Board of Directors), our Committees and our Governance processes.

The world of work in financial services is changing rapidly. The forces of change include AI, technology, customer expectations and competition - these factors are reshaping jobs and business models in organisations. We in IOB believe that individual learning has to be lifelong to sustain a career, maintaining transferable skills to excel in this changing world of work and to compete for new roles as they emerge in organisations across the industry.

We are excited to introduce a suite of new AI programmes developed to enable our members to unlock the full potential of AI. We are also delighted to launch new programmes in key areas of opportunity and demand in the industry, including ESG, data protection, governance and reputational risk.

So if you want to invest in yourself, enhance your skills, continue your professional development or receive an internationally-recognised academic award accredited by UCD, then you should read our 2025/26 prospectus detailing our education programmes in specialist areas such as:

• AI, Digital and Innovation
• ESG
• Funds and Asset Management
• Retail Banking
• Wealth and Financial Advice
• Credit & Lending
• Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Culture
• Executive Education

World first standards-based Skills Framework to future-proof talent in retail banking launched

In collaboration with educators, industry partners and the Government, IOB has led the development of the first phase of the Irish Financial Services Skills Framework – a world first standards-based model designed to equip Ireland’s retail banking workforce with critical knowledge about the skills needed for the future of the sector.