Financial confidence is strong for everyday tasks but drops when people consider their long‑term financial future

  • 72% of people in Ireland feel confident in themselves
  • 59% are confident discussing money with family or friends, but only 24% are confident asking for a pay rise
  • Just over half feel confident about their personal financial situation over the next year

25 March 2026 – New research from Bank of Ireland sheds light on national confidence levels across different aspects of life from personal finances and employment to life goals. The research supports the launch of the Bank’s new ‘Right with you’ brand promise and campaign, which is built on the insight that confidence is the spark that sets progress in motion. ‘Right with you’ captures Bank of Ireland’s clear ambition to help customers build financial confidence at every step and stage of their financial lives.

The research revealed that people generally feel confident in themselves and their ability to reach personal goals, with men and older adults tending to report higher confidence levels than women and younger groups. Financial confidence is strong in day‑to‑day tasks like managing bills or spotting scams, but it drops noticeably when people think about their long‑term financial prospects or advocating for better pay. Optimism about the future is low overall, with men and younger people more hopeful than women about the year ahead.

Close to three in four people (72%) say they are confident in themselves, while 69% are confident in their ability to progress towards their goals. When it comes to financial confidence in particular, just over half (51%) feel confident about their financial situation over the next year, while the vast majority (83%) are confident they are keeping track of their bills and subscriptions.

Continuing with the ‘rainy day’ theme, only a third of people (34%) are confident of a good summer following a very wet start to the year – with younger people more hopeful (46%). The research also revealed that 65% are not confident they could get through an entire day without using their mobile phone – with older respondents less confident (25% 18-34, 21% 65+).

Financial confidence

  • 59% are confident discussing money with family or friends, but only 24% are confident asking for a pay rise – with women (17%) less confident than men (32%).
  • Over three-in-four (77%) feel confident about spotting potential scams or fraud.
  • Confidence levels fall when people consider their longer-term financial situation:
    • Just over half (51%) feel confident about their financial situation over the next year
    • 43% are confident that employment levels will remain stable
    • 30% feel confident they could change jobs for better pay if needed.

Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland, said: “Overall, this research suggests that we are a confident nation. But we know from our long-standing Financial Wellbeing Index that thinking about their financial situation makes over half of the population (52%) anxious – and we’re trying to change that.

“At Bank of Ireland our goal is to help build our customers’ financial confidence by supporting them through life’s important moments – whether it’s a child using our Smart Start account, an entrepreneur establishing a business or buying your first home.

“Our new ‘Right with you’ brand promise reflects our commitment to stand with customers and help them feel more confident about their financial future – because when people feel confident in their decisions, they can act with certainty, move forward with intent and achieve their ambitions.”

Personal confidence

There were high levels of personal confidence and confidence in achieving life goals

  • 36% are confident speaking publicly
  • Men tend to report higher levels of confidence than women, with 80% of men saying they are confident in themselves compared with 64% of women.
  • The most confident age group across the nation was the 65+ cohort at 84%.

Future confidence

  • Confidence levels reduce when people consider potential future outcomes – only 15% are confident that the world will be in a better place this time next year, compared with 64% who are not confident.
  • Men are more optimistic than women about what next year has in store (21% vs 10%), with younger people tending to be more hopeful.

Laura Lynch, Chief Marketing Officer, Bank of Ireland commented: “Financial confidence is one of the most powerful drivers of growth and economies. When people feel confident, they buy their first home, start or grow their business, they understand and can manage their day to day finances and they can plan for themselves, their business or their family.

“Our new brand promise, ‘Right with you’, is built around that insight and understanding the role that Bank of Ireland plays in building and supporting financial confidence and choices at key moments every day. The new campaign, along with an evolved and more modern identity and a distinctive new suite of advertising assets, will help us to clearly communicate the many actions we are taking to make it easier for customers to bank with us – helping us to compete in a world of evolving competition and rapidly changing consumer expectations.”

The campaign forms part of the Bank’s strategy to 2028, and its vision to provide unrivalled financial choice – now and for generations to come. The Group recently set out its new strategic direction to 2028, focused on building stronger relationships, a simpler business and a resilient company. From a first mortgage to pensions, investments and retirement planning, a startup loan or corporate finance, Bank of Ireland is committed to serving customers at every step and stage of their financial lives.

A new marketing campaign starts this week and will feature a heavyweight campaign on TV, video-on-demand, social, digital, audio, and Out of Home, as well as branch and ATM integration.

ENDS

The research was conducted by Red C in February 2026 with over 1,000 adults.

Latest Financial Wellbeing Index research was conducted by Red C in September 2025 among a nationally representative sample of 1,325 adults aged 18+ living in the Republic of Ireland