Increase in Contactless Payments at Bank of Ireland during Q1 of 2025, Decrease in ATM Transactions during the Same Period
In the first quarter of 2025, Bank of Ireland witnessed a significant increase in contactless payments and digital banking usage. This trend is driven by a combination of factors, including customer preference for faster, seamless payment methods, technology advancements, and shifting transaction behaviours.
Bank of Ireland's Group Chief Operating Officer, Ciarán Coyle, stated that the bank's continued investment in digital banking services ensures customers can bank with speed and flexibility. On Thursday, 27 March 2025, 1.5 million digital banking logins were recorded across Bank of Ireland's iOS and Android mobile apps, marking the busiest day in Q1 2025. Over 12 million biometric logins were recorded in total during January, February, and March 2025, with biometric logins to the mobile banking app growing in popularity by 41% compared to the same period in 2024.
Contactless 'tap and go' payments rose 1% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, with over 3 million contactless payments made on 28 February 2025, the busiest day in Q1 2025. Despite Easter coming later in 2025, the busiest day in Q1 2025 for Bank of Ireland's mobile app was still recorded, not during the Easter holidays.
The decrease in ATM usage can be attributed to the busy Easter period not falling in the first quarter of 2025. The number of ATM transactions fell 11% in Q1 2025 compared with Q1 2024. Logins via the traditional '3 of 6' PIN method also declined by 10% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Coyle also mentioned that Bank of Ireland will continue providing customers with a full suite of banking options, while improving the capabilities of their digital banking channels. The bank will also invest and provide enhanced services across their branch network.
The increase in contactless payments and digital banking usage at Bank of Ireland reflects broad customer demand for digital convenience, supported by evolving technology infrastructures like SoftPOS, and a move away from cash/ATM usage. This trend is part of a wider momentum in the Irish and European payments landscape favouring contactless and digital banking solutions.
Sources:
[1] European Central Bank (2025). Contactless payments in Europe: trends and challenges. [2] SoftPOS (2025). Empowering merchants with contactless payments. [3] Bank of Ireland (2025). Contactless payments soar as customers embrace digital banking. [4] Irish Times (2025). Bank of Ireland reports surge in digital banking usage. [5] European Commission (2024). EU Payment Services Directive 2: strengthening consumer protection and promoting innovation in digital payments.
- The rise in contactless 'tap and go' payments and mobile banking logins at Bank of Ireland during Q1 2025 signifies a growing preference for fast, seamless digital finance solutions, driven by technology advancements like SoftPOS.
- As Bank of Ireland continues to invest in digital banking services and traditional branch networks, they aim to provide customers with a comprehensive range of banking options, capitalizing on the trend of shifting transaction behaviors towards digital and contactless solutions, as observed in the Irish and European payments landscape.
