The Federation of International Banks Ireland (FIBI) is today hosting its flagship annual conference 2025 Competing for Growth - Ireland’s Future as a Global Financial Services Hub at the College Green Hotel Dublin. Over 200 industry representatives, regulators and policy makers will gather to focus on what is required to secure and grow Ireland's position as a leading location for international financial services in the context of increasing global geopolitical fragmentation and intense competition across financial centres. Discussions will also consider both industry challenges and opportunities in the evolving global landscape and as the European Union advances its ambitious competitiveness and simplification agenda.
Opening today’s conference, Davinia Conlan, Chair of FIBI and Citi Country Officer Ireland stated: “Ireland’s future as a global financial services hub depends on one overriding goal - to secure long-term competitive positioning - and delivering on that vision requires a domestic agenda built on simplification, skills, and speed. Our sector employs over 60,000 people, contributes €7.7 billion in tax receipts, and is home to more than 600 international firms. We manage 65% of the world’s leased aircraft fleet and we administer over €4.3 trillion in fund assets. This success is the result of bold policy decisions, a pro-business ecosystem, and a pioneering mindset that gave us the IFSC Special Economic Zone in the 1980s. However, continued success is not guaranteed. We are facing rising geopolitical volatility, fragmented trade, and increasing policy uncertainty.”
In a hyper-competitive global market, clarity and simplicity are a competitive advantage
Ms Conlan continued: “Assessing the key decisions and initiatives required to keep Ireland at the forefront of global international finance, we know opportunity alone won’t guarantee success. We need a domestic agenda that matches the ambition of our global peers, one that delivers with simplification, skills, and speed. In a hyper-competitive global market, clarity and simplicity are a key competitive advantage. Simplification is not about deregulation; it’s about strong and smart regulation that’s agile, risk-based, outcome-focused and consistent. If we can deliver that clarity, we safeguard high-value jobs, deepen our global reputation, and strengthen Ireland’s position as a premier EU location for international banking and financial services.”
“The future of international banking and financial services will be built on technology, innovation, and talent. The digital finance revolution through AI, blockchain and tokenisation, represents a $1.6 trillion global opportunity. Ireland, uniquely positioned at the crossroads of global tech and global finance, has everything it takes to lead. However, the transition to digital finance demands a step change in our existing talent pool and closing emerging skills gaps and accelerating delivery must be a national priority. This requires deeper collaboration between government, academia, financial institutions, and tech firms to align education with evolving industry needs and to proactively reorient roles that may be changed by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.”
Pointing to the need for momentum, Ms Conlan added: “In a world where capital, innovation and talent move at lightning speed, delivery is everything. Other jurisdictions are moving aggressively - Luxembourg on fund digitalisation, Singapore on digital assets, the UK on fintech sandboxing. Ireland needs a delivery mindset focused on world-class housing and transport infrastructure to attract global talent; tax reform that unlocks investment; and accountability to track progress and drive results. It also means fully supporting initiatives that mobilise domestic capital toward innovation, so Ireland becomes a creator of financial technology, not just an adopter. The next generation of high-value jobs depends on it.”
Ms Conlan concluded: “When Ireland competes with confidence and grows with purpose, the world takes notice. We can’t allow inertia, complexity or complacency hold us back. As a country, we can seize the opportunity in front of us and ensure that Ireland’s future as a global financial services hub is not just sustained but strengthened.”
Today’s conference features keynote addresses and panels with senior leaders, including Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation; Luis de Guindos, Vice President of the European Central Bank; and Mary-Elizabeth McMunn, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland.
