AIB full year guidance raised for loans and deposits

It gave it a record share of the market

As new lending jumped 17% in the first nine months of 2026, AIB has raised full year guidance for loans and deposits.

On Wednesday, AIB raised its full year guidance for customer loans and deposits, after another strong quarter lifted total income by 3%.

In the nine months to September, gross lending grew by €4 billion to €76.3 billion.

This marks a rise of 5.6% on last December. Now, ahead of its earlier forecast of around 5%, the bank expects loan growth of 5-6% for the year.

New lending rose 17% to €12.3 billion until September, including €3.2 billion in additional Irish mortgages.

That lending pushed AIB's Irish mortgage market share to 28.4%, its highest yet.

Meanwhile, over the same period, new lending to Irish SMEs reached €1.2 billion.

The update comes at a time when the government finalises Budget 2027 tax plans.

AIB full year guidance: what it means for savers and borrowers

With 93% of the accounts held in Ireland, customer deposits rose 2.7% to €120.4 billion in the nine months.

And now, deposit growth is forecast at 3-4% for the year, up from about 3% previously.

As AIB raised its full year forecast to more than €3.85 billion, net interest income climbed 2% to €2.87 billion.

According to the Irish Times, the new income forecast assumes a European Central Bank deposit rate of 2.5% and a Bank of England rate of 4% by December.

Over the same period, AIB's costs rose 3%, leaving its cost-to-income ratio at 44%.

Colin Hunt: AIB had "another strong quarter"

Colin Hunt, AIB chief executive, said the update meant that the bank "had another strong quarter," which he linked to the resilience of the Irish economy.

He added: "While the international environment remains uncertain, our disciplined approach, market-leading franchise and strong capital position enable us to continue to support our 3.5 million customers, the communities we serve and the wider Irish economy."

The chief executive also highlighted that the bank remains focused on "delivering sustainable growth and shareholder returns" as it enters the final months of its current strategic cycle.

The upgrade comes even as a recent poll on young people leaving Ireland found seven in ten considering emigration over quality of life.

What is AIB's new guidance for 2026?

AIB now expects gross loan growth of 5-6%, deposit growth of 3-4%, and net interest income of more than €3.85 billion for the full year.

How much mortgage lending has AIB done this year?

AIB's new Irish mortgage lending reached €3.2 billion in the nine months to September, giving it a record 28.4% share of the market.

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