Bank of Ireland customers continue adopting contactless payments methods as ATM usage dips
- Major concerts and sporting events contribute to 6% rise in Q3 eCommerce contactless card transactions
- ATM transactions down 9% in Q3 2025 compared to same period last year
- Ongoing rise (+20%) recorded in biometric logins
Analysis of Bank of Ireland customer behaviour during the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 shows that contactless payments rose again while ATM usage continues on a downward trend, compared to the same period in 2024.
In Q3 2025, eCommerce contactless card transactions (digital wallets, Apple Pay/Google Pay) increased by 6%, whilst contactless ‘tap and go’ payment levels rose by 4% when compared to Q3 2024. The rise in eCommerce contactless card transaction came as Dublin played host to international events such as the Oasis concerts in Croke Park on August 16 and 17, and the first ever official NFL game held in Ireland on September 28.
1.7 million contactless ‘tap and go’ payments took place on 11 July, with over 870,000 eCommerce contactless card transactions made on 1 August, making those the busiest summer days for both these types of digital transactions by Bank of Ireland customers in the period. As contactless payments continue to rise, the number of ATM transactions fell 9% in Q3 2025 compared with the same period last year. This follows an 11% drop in ATM transactions in the second quarter of this year as the popularity of digital banking grows.
Meanwhile, biometric logins to the mobile banking app continued to be popular, up 20% overall for Q3 2025 compared to the same three months in 2024, showing an increasing desire from customers to interact with digital services in secure ways. Over 13 million biometric logins were recorded in total during July, August and September, with average daily biometric logins rising 17%, whilst the level of traditional ‘3 of 6’ PIN logins remained flat.
On Thursday, 25 September nearly 1.4 million logins were recorded across Bank of Ireland’s iOS and Android mobile apps, the busiest login day in Q3. Total logins to the mobile app were marginally up during Q3 2025 from Q3 2024.
Niamh De Niese, Chief Digital and Data Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “Throughout 2025 we have seen consumers increasingly availing of digital payment and biometric login options, as they seek flexible, speedy and secure banking services that suit their busy lives. The recent introduction of SEPA Instant payments is the latest step in enhancing our digital payments capability, and we will continue to invest in a range of banking technologies that suit our customers’ needs.”