Finance Ireland pays maiden dividend of €75m as loan book hits record high

Finance Ireland has delivered a strong performance, marking a significant milestone with its first-ever dividend payout of €75 million. This achievement underscores the company's robust financial health, with profits climbing for the third year running and its loan book expanding to a record €1.5 billion. The lender's success is a testament to its disciplined approach and deep expertise across various sectors.

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We have strong and deep-pocketed shareholders who support our future growth ambitions, including acquisitions as the non-bank market consolidates.

Chief Executive Billy Kane highlighted the company's strategic pivot towards acquisitions within the non-bank lending sector. Following discussions with potential suitors PTSB and Bawag, Finance Ireland is now poised to pursue its own growth ambitions, supported by its substantial shareholders. This proactive stance positions the company to capitalize on the ongoing consolidation within the non-bank market.

The company's financial statement reveals a healthy increase in pretax profit, up 23% to €24.9 million. Key divisions such as motor finance, commercial real estate, and SME leasing have all shown impressive growth. While the agrifinance sector experienced a temporary dip, recent developments, including the EU's extension of a fertiliser derogation, suggest a positive outlook for this area as well.

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This is a very strong set of results, driven by our disciplined lending approach and deep cross‑sector expertise. The business is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth.

This performance not only solidifies Finance Ireland's position as the State's largest non-bank lender but also signals its readiness for future expansion and market leadership. The company's strong balance sheet, with significant net assets and cash reserves, provides a solid foundation for its ambitious growth plans, including strategic acquisitions.

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We broke off the discussions.