Future of Finance Q2 2025 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content
www.businessnews.ie
“A competitive and transparent regulatory environment is essential.”
“Recent geo-political tensions will present risks to the Irish fintech sector.”
Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance Page 02
Leah Donnelly, Head Of Fintech & Payments Association Of Ireland (FPAI) And Digital Assets Online
Mary O’Dea CEO, IOB
Ireland’s skilled workforce fuels fintech and financial services growth
Offering futurefocused education for the evolving financial sector
With a worldwide reputation as a leading global financial services centre, professionals must stay ahead of the sector’s fast-paced changes through learning.
Today, the financial services industry is a major contributor to the Irish economy, employing more than 103,500 people, spread across a uniquely diverse range of sectors.
A
I
s Ireland is a significant player in the global financial landscape, it is perhaps no surprise that the leading Dublin-based institution IOB is pioneering a financial services standards-based national skills framework, boosting development and education in the sector. Education and empowerment IOB is a recognised college of the University College Dublin. It has a professional network of 33,000 people and 38 corporate members, including many of Ireland’s top banking funds and financial services organisations. “Our mission is to educate, enable and empower our professional community,” explains Chief Executive Officer, Mary O’Dea. Initiative is released in phases Their aim is to map the skills essential to financial services and allow individuals to explore related functions in the industry and then strengthen their skillset with the right education and training options. The first part of this initiative will launch in the latter part of June, focused on the retail banking sector, with more sub-sectors being added in the coming months. “We are very excited because we think it will be an absolute gamechanger both for education and professional development within the industry in Ireland,” adds O’Dea.
a wide range of degree-level study programmes available online, on demand and some in person. During 2023/2024, almost 7,000 people enrolled on its accredited programmes. “We support financial services professionals to gain in-demand skills and expertise with over 40 UCD accredited programmes,” says O’Dea. Listening to members and tailoring courses to suit requirements means learners can choose to block out a week or two in their diaries for the executive education programmes, such as the Certified Bank Director programme and the Certified Investment Fund Director programme. Currently trending courses Education and upskilling are integral to the success of the sector, which continuously undergoes fast-paced change. For example, there is a huge on-demand need for learning modules around sustainable finance and artificial intelligence. Last year, a bespoke and innovative programme was launched to support compliance professionals as they lead the adoption of sustainable finance. To meet the needs of the AI explosion, new on-demand courses have been introduced, including a detailed skills certificate in AI and, for more technical learning needs, there is a course on AI modelling.
Tailoring courses to suit needs IOB offers working professionals
Sponsored by IOB
Find out more at iob.ie
Audrey Crummy Deputy Director, Financial Services Ireland Group, Ibec
n the space of just three decades, Ireland has developed into a world-class financial services hub. We are the leading global centre for aircraft leasing. Nearly half of Europe’s cross-border life insurance is written from Ireland. We are the third-largest funds domicile globally. Ireland’s ability to add value for financial services firms and help them to achieve success is proven. Digitally powered fintech growth The outlook for growth in jobs and activity in the sector is positive. Firms are navigating global economic uncertainty, but the last six years have demonstrated incredible resilience. Key growth drivers, like the digitalisation of the sector, remain unchanged. Customers and clients of financial services firms expect a strong digital offering, and that has meant that every firm in the industry has now become a fintech firm as they seek to deliver for their customers. Ireland’s workforce, with its deep pool of knowledge, skills and technical expertise, is well placed to help firms of all sizes achieve their fintech ambitions. This includes harnessing the extraordinary potential of AI, with its capacity to accelerate innovation and further enhance customer offerings and experiences. Ireland poised for fintech leadership Similar strategic opportunities attach to the EU Savings and Investment Union, which aims to empower European consumers with more choice and flexibility to deploy their savings across EU borders. Ireland can be at the centre of this project because of the breadth and capability of the firms located here. This strong track record of delivery will help to underpin future investment by the sector in Ireland. Other jurisdictions are hungry for this investment, and we must remain laser-focused on our competitiveness as a jurisdiction. We believe a National Fintech Innovation Hub is a critical next step, offering space to grow firms at all stages of their fintech journey. Ireland can be a centre of excellence for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, and the Fintech Hub will be vital in enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and building on the progress that has been made.
let’s build a stronger financial future together Wealth Management Business Owner Financial Plan Retirement & Tax Efficiency Savings & Investments Protection & Insurance
get a quote: www.truewealth.ie