Mortgage & Lending regulatory updates from Ireland.
We track 18 Mortgage & Lending updates from Ireland regulators, published by CBI. The archive covers 8 warnings, 5 enforcement actions and 2 speeches. Most recent update: June 2026. Coverage runs from 2018 to 2026.
Warning: Unauthorised Retail Credit Firm Unauthorised Firm Name Loan Empower Solution Website https://www.lesolution.eu Purported address The Merrion Buildings, 18–20 Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 XH98, Ireland Email address used [email protected] Phone number used +49 30 1234 5678 Authorisation in Ireland Loan…
AI Analysis
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has issued a formal warning under section 53 of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 against **Loan Empower Solution**, an unauthorised firm purporting to offer retail credit from a Dublin address while apparently engaging in **advance fee fraud**. This reinforces supervisory expectations that authorised firms operating in or into Ireland must have robust controls around unauthorised-firm risk, fraud referrals, and customer communications, particularly where clone or bogus “retail credit” offerings are involved.
Key dates
26 June 2026
- CBI publishes the warning notice against Loan Empower Solution as an unauthorised retail credit firm and lists the firm under section 53 of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013
Suggested considerations
Review and update internal unauthorised-firm and scam monitoring procedures to ensure Loan Empower Solution and its identifiers (name, website, address, email, telephone number) are captured in watchlists, fraud rules, and staff guidance.
Screen recent and ongoing customer transactions and communications for any references to Loan Empower Solution or similar lending scams requesting upfront “loan fees”, and escalate any matches to fraud and compliance teams.
Update customer-facing communications and website scam warnings to highlight the risk of advance fee fraud in retail credit, referencing the need to check the CBI registers and unauthorised-firms list before engaging with lenders.
Ensure call centre, branch, and digital support staff are trained to identify and respond to customers approached by unauthorised lenders, including how to advise customers to verify authorisation status on the CBI website and to report suspected scams.
Incorporate checks against the CBI unauthorised firms search into onboarding, due diligence, and third-party risk management processes for any lending-related partnerships, introducers, or lead generators.
What changed
- The CBI has added Loan Empower Solution (website: lesolution.eu) to its public list of unauthorised firms and explicitly categorised it as an unauthorised retail credit firm operating without the...
The CBI has publicly stated that Loan Empower Solution appears to be operating an advance fee fraud model, where upfront payments are requested for credit services that are never provided.
The CBI has confirmed that the firm is using a purported Irish business address (The Merrion Buildings, 18–20 Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 XH98), a non-Irish telephone number, and a specified...
The firm’s name has been published under section 53 of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013, reaffirming the CBI’s use of its statutory power to publicly identify entities...
The CBI has directed the public to its unauthorised firms search and financial scams information pages, implicitly reinforcing expectations that firms promote use of these tools in their consumer...
Compliance impact
Non-compliance primarily exposes firms to conduct and financial crime risk, including facilitating fraud, failing to protect vulnerable customers, and weaknesses in perimeter controls, which can lead to CBI supervisory findings, reputational damage, and potentially enforcement action for systemic failures. The enforcement signalling is material for any firm active in retail credit or payments, and boards and senior managers responsible for consumer and financial crime risk should treat unauthorised-firm exposure as a priority issue.
Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. It is great to see the energy and commitment to the credit union movement evident here today and reflected in your agenda for today’s conference. 1 Today’s event is especially timely, coming not long since Minister Troy’s announcement in April of…
Why this matters
Deputy Governor speech announcing modernised Consumer Protection Code application to credit unions, digital transformation requirements, and financial literacy initiatives. Informational in nature with forward-looking regulatory guidance on implementation timelines and support mechanisms.
Introduction Good morning – I am delighted to be here, and many thanks to Brian and the BPFI for hosting us. 1 I very much look forward to the discussion, and to hearing from you all today, but before I do I would like to set out some reflections on a number of topics which are currently high on the regulatory agenda…
Good morning. Brendan, thank you for the warm introduction. It is a pleasure to join you at the ILCU Internal Audit Services Conference. I also want to thank Barry Harrington for the invitation to address you here today. 1 When I addressed the ILCU Annual Conference last April, I spoke about a time of transformative…
Warning: Unauthorised Retail Credit Firm Unauthorised Firm Name Finance Advice Help Website Financeadvicehelp.com Email address used [email protected] Authorisation in Ireland Finance Advice Help is not authorised to provide retail credit services in Ireland. Notes: Any person wishing to contact the…
AI Analysis
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has issued a warning notice under section 53 of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013, identifying "Finance Advice Help" (website: financeadvicehelp.com; email: [email protected]) as an unauthorised firm providing retail credit services in Ireland. This matters for compliance professionals as it underscores CBI's proactive enforcement against unauthorised entities, heightening risks of consumer scams and potential liability for authorised firms if clients inadvertently engage with clones or similar frauds.[Source URL: https://www.centralbank.ie/news/article/finance-advice-help--central-bank-of-ireland-issues-warning-on-unauthorised-firm]
Key dates
14 April 2026
Publication date of warning notice; Immediate public alert on unauthorised status of Finance Advice Help.[Source URL: https://www.centralbank.ie/news/article/finance-advice-help--central-bank-of-ireland-issues-warning-on-unauthorised-firm]
Suggested considerations
Verify firm status: Use CBI's unauthorised firms search tool before engaging with any retail credit provider (https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/how-we-regulate/authorisation/unauthorised-firms/search-unauthorised-firms).
Report suspicions: Contact CBI at (01) 224 5800 or via direct reporting portal for any dealings with Finance Advice Help or similar entities.[Source URL: https://www.centralbank.ie/news/article/finance-advice-help--central-bank-of-ireland-issues-warning-on-unauthorised-firm]
Educate clients/staff: Disseminate scam protection guidance from www.centralbank.ie/financialscams; implement "SAFE test" for verification.[Source URL: https://www.centralbank.ie/news/article/finance-advice-help--central-bank-of-ireland-issues-warning-on-unauthorised-firm]
Monitor clones: Screen for impersonation risks, as seen in related warnings (e.g., Shamrock Lend clone).
What changed
This is not a regulatory change but an enforcement action via a public warning notice. It reinforces existing requirements under the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (section 53), which empowers CBI to publish names of unauthorised firms offering regulated services like retail credit. No new rules are introduced; it signals ongoing vigilance against unauthorised retail credit providers.[Source URL: https://www.centralbank.ie/news/article/finance-advice-help--central-bank-of-ireland-issues-warning-on-unauthorised-firm]
Compliance impact
Urgency: Medium – This is a routine CBI warning (one of many in 2025-2026), not targeting authorised firms directly, but it elevates consumer protection and conduct risks. Firms must act promptly to update internal alerts and client advisories to mitigate reputational harm, regulatory scrutiny, or indirect liability from scam exposures; failure could trigger CBI inquiries under conduct rules.
Central Bank of Ireland today published the annual Financial Conditions of Credit Unions Report, which provides an update on the financial performance and position of the sector for the financial year ended 30 September 2025.
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the Central Bank of Ireland provides an annual report on the financial conditions of the credit union sector, including data on balance sheets, lending, savings, and reserves. It is an informational publication aimed at credit union boards and management.
The Central Bank of Ireland today announced details of a targeted amendment to the mortgage measures that will exempt certain principal home bridging loans from the Loan-to-Income (LTI) limit . The Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit will continue to apply to these products, and all other elements of the mortgage measures…
AI Analysis
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has announced a targeted amendment exempting certain principal home bridging loans from the Loan-to-Income (LTI) limit while retaining the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit and all other mortgage measures unchanged, recognizing bridging finance as a growing market feature repaid via property sale proceeds rather than income. This matters for compliance professionals as it enables lenders to offer these short-term products (max 18 months) without LTI constraints, but requires reinforced underwriting, consumer protection, and ongoing CBI monitoring to maintain lending standards.
Key dates
08 April 2026
Announcement and effective date; CBI press release details the amendment, with immediate application implied for qualifying bridging loans (no explicit phase-in mentioned)
Suggested considerations
Update lending policies: Identify and classify principal home bridging loans (max 18 months, repayment from property sale, no capital repayments required during term) to apply LTI exemption but enforce 90% LTV.
Enhance underwriting: Conduct individual suitability and affordability assessments beyond macroprudential limits; do not rely solely on exemption.
Strengthen consumer protections: Fully inform borrowers of risks (e.g., sale delays, interest costs); ensure products suit circumstances per consumer protection rules.
Internal monitoring and reporting: Track bridging loan volumes within flexibility allowances; prepare for CBI inquiries as part of ongoing assessments.
Staff training and systems updates: Revise origination, disclosure, and compliance systems promptly to operationalize changes.
What changed
- Exemption from LTI limit: Principal home bridging loans—defined as short-term loans (maximum 18 months) enabling homeowners to buy a new principal home before selling their current property, repaid...
LTV limit retained: Maximum 90% LTV continues to apply to these loans, alongside the 15% flexibility allowance for first-time/second/subsequent buyer lending.
No other changes: All remaining mortgage measures, including consumer protection rules and lenders' prudent underwriting obligations, stay intact.
Monitoring commitment: CBI will track the exemption's operation within its regular mortgage measures assessments for unintended risks.
Compliance impact
Urgency: High – Effective immediately on announcement (08 April 2026), this enables new lending opportunities in a evolving market but demands swift policy tweaks, training, and risk controls to avoid consumer protection breaches or excessive risk-taking, with CBI monitoring for emerging issues. Non-compliance risks supervisory scrutiny, as measures reinforce macroprudential goals amid housing market pressures.
The Prohibition Notice (PDF) issued after Mr Buckley signed a Statement of Undisputed Facts, in which he accepted that between 1 February 2021 and 12 December 2023, while he was employed at two different retail intermediaries, he issued invoices to clients directing payment to his personal bank account in place of his…
AI Analysis
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has issued an indefinite prohibition to Nicholas (Nick) Buckley from all controlled functions, effective 25 February 2026, following his admission of diverting client payments to his personal account and misrepresenting financial qualifications while at two retail intermediaries from 1 February 2021 to 12 December 2023. This enforcement action underscores the CBI's commitment to the Fitness and Probity Regime, emphasizing integrity in customer-facing roles to maintain public trust. Compliance professionals should note it as a precedent for severe sanctions on dishonesty, potentially influencing vetting and monitoring practices.
Key dates
1 February 2021
12 December 2023; Period of Buckley's admitted misconduct (diverting payments and misrepresenting qualifications)
25 February 2026
Effective date of the indefinite prohibition on Buckley performing any controlled functions
01 April 2026
Publication date of the CBI press release announcing the Prohibition Notice
Suggested considerations
Firms employing similar roles: Immediately review invoicing processes to ensure payments direct only to firm accounts, with segregation of duties and dual approvals for client billing.
Fitness and Probity assessments: Conduct enhanced due diligence on customer-facing staff, verifying qualifications via independent sources and monitoring for personal financial gain conflicts.
Incident reporting: Escalate any suspected integrity breaches (e.g., qualification misrepresentation or fund diversion) to CBI under fitness and probity notification obligations.
Training programs: Update mandatory training on Fitness and Probity Standards (available at https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/fitness-and-probity), focusing on honesty in client interactions.
Prohibition checks: Screen all controlled function holders against CBI's public prohibitions list before approvals or role changes.
What changed
This is not a new regulation but an enforcement outcome under the existing Fitness and Probity Regime, established by the Central Bank Reform Act 2010, which mandates high standards of competence, integrity, and honesty for individuals in controlled functions. No regulatory changes are introduced; instead, it reinforces enforcement mechanisms, including investigations and prohibitions for breaches, particularly in customer-facing roles where honesty is paramount.
Compliance impact
Urgency: Medium – This is a specific enforcement precedent rather than a new rule, but it signals heightened CBI scrutiny on integrity breaches in retail intermediation, with indefinite bans as a tool to protect consumers. It matters because customer-facing misconduct erodes trust, prompting firms to strengthen controls proactively to avoid similar investigations, especially given CBI Director of Enforcement's warning on accountability. Non-compliance risks firm-level sanctions, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.
Good afternoon and welcome to this Central Bank of Ireland workshop on the Consumer Protection Code. Today I will focus on the outlook for consumers and investors. But first let me pause to talk a little about the broader context in which we find ourselves. We are living through a period marked by extraordinary…
AI Analysis
Deputy Governor Colm Kincaid's speech on 24 March 2026 emphasizes consumer protection as central to the Central Bank of Ireland's (CBI) mission amid geopolitical, technological, and economic changes, highlighting the revised **Consumer Protection Code 2025** (CPC 2025) as a key modernization effort. This matters for compliance professionals because the CPC 2025 introduces enhanced, digitally-focused protections effective **24 March 2026**, replacing the 2012 Code after a 12-month implementation period, with firms required to proactively secure customer interests.
Key dates
24 March 2025
- CBI publishes revised CPC 2025, Standards for Business Regulations, Consumer Protection Regulations, and guidance
Gap analysis: Map current policies/processes against CPC 2025 using CBI's mapping tool; update for new obligations like digital service design, vulnerability screening, fraud measures.
Testing/monitoring: Develop records/compliance systems; test advertising/bundling; integrate sustainability claims checks.
Stakeholder engagement: Review CBI guidance/FAQs; prepare for supervision during implementation.
What changed
The CPC 2025 comprises Standards for Business Regulations (governance, resources, risk management, conduct standards) and Consumer Protection Regulations (cross-sectoral and sector-specific rules for...
Core obligation: Firms must "secure customers’ interests," shifting to a proactive, customer-focused mindset.
Cross-sectoral requirements: Knowing the consumer/suitability; conflicts of interest/remuneration; vulnerable consumers (updated definition); digitalisation (customer-focused design); effective...
Specific enhancements: Fraud/scam protections; mortgage switching disclosures; greenwashing prevention via clear sustainability claims; expanded consumer definition (e.g., SMEs up to €5m turnover...
Supporting materials: Guidance on securing interests/vulnerable consumers, mapping tool for legacy codes, redline amendments.
Compliance impact
Urgency: High – With effectiveness today (24 March 2026), firms face immediate non-compliance risk as the 12-month window closes; CBI supervision will intensify on digital/fraud/vulnerability protections amid heightened risks (e.g., cyber, scams). Non-adherence risks enforcement under CBI's powers, reputational damage, and fines, especially as this "gold-plates" EU rules in a volatile environment.
Role of Non-Bank Entities in the Irish Housing Market regarding residential mortgages Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh agus gabhaim buíochas leis an gcoiste as ucht an cuireadh a bheith anseo inniú. I am joined by my colleagues Domhnall Cullinan, Director of Banking and Payments, and Aisling Menton, Head of Retail…
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the Central Bank of Ireland discusses the role of non-bank entities in the Irish mortgage market, including their lending and servicing activities. It covers consumer protection measures, affordability requirements, and support for borrowers in arrears.
Stalwart Investments Limited (Clone) - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm impersonating a legitimate retail credit provider. It involves an advanced fee fraud scheme, which poses a high risk to consumers. The warning covers key details about the unauthorized firm and provides guidance to protect against such scams.
SB Leasing Ireland Limited (Clone) - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm, SB Leasing Ireland Limited (Clone), that is seeking to deceive consumers by cloning the details of a legitimate Irish registered company. This poses a high risk to consumers and requires prompt action.
Capital Horizon Loans (Clone) - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm, Capital Horizon Loans, that is engaging in an advanced fee fraud scheme. It is a high urgency issue as it involves consumer protection, unauthorized financial activities, and potential financial crime.
DEV Limited (CLONE) - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm cloning the identity of a legitimate Irish company to provide credit services. This poses a high risk to consumers and requires immediate attention.
Tava Loans - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the Central Bank of Ireland warns about an unauthorized firm operating in the banking, consumer credit, and mortgage lending sectors. This is a high urgency issue as it relates to consumer protection and the need for proper authorization and licensing of financial firms.
Ava Credit Finance - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm operating in the banking, consumer credit, and mortgage lending sectors. This is a high urgency issue as it relates to consumer protection and the proper authorization of financial firms.
LiteLoans4U - Central Bank of Ireland Issues Warning on Unauthorised Firm
Why this matters
This is a warning from the Central Bank of Ireland about an unauthorized firm operating in the consumer lending and mortgage sectors, which raises consumer protection concerns.
Following a satisfactory review of the data submitted by banks and credit unions, to the Central Credit Register, the initial enquiry phase has now commenced. This means that from today borrowers and lenders can request a copy of credit reports from the Central Credit Register. Data on mortgages, personal loans…