Finance Ireland sees pre-tax profits increase by 23%

Company operates in motor finance, commercial real estate and agricultural finance

Chief executive of Finance Ireland Billy Kane: The business continues to attract interest from other firms potentially seeking to acquire Finance Ireland. 

Non-bank lender Finance Ireland has recorded a 23% increase in pre-tax profit during its 2025 financial year, driven by strong growth in its motor finance as well as commercial real estate lending, the company’s latest financial statements show.

Founded in 2002, Finance Ireland operates across a number of divisions, including motor finance, commercial real estate, small- and medium-sized enterprise leasing, as well as agriculture finance. As of the end of December, it employed 135 people.

Its annual report and financial statement for 2025 shows it recorded a pre-tax profit of €24.9m, up from €20.3m in 2024. It reported new lending of €624m throughout last year.

According to the company, its motor finance division delivered a record year, with new loans up 12% annually, while its outstanding balance increased by 26% — from €518.4m in 2024 to €653.2m last year.

Its commercial real estate segment saw growth of 10% in its loan book to €526.4m, while its SME Leasing segment also recorded solid growth, up 12.1% to €101.8m.

The value of its agri-finance loan book stood at €115.9m at the end of 2025, with new lending slightly lower year-on-year.

Reflecting its 2025 performance, the company paid out a dividend of €75 in the year.

Finance Ireland founder and chief executive Billy Kane said this was 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.” 

Mr Kane added the business continued to attract interest from other firms potentially seeking to acquire Finance Ireland. 

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

Earlier this year, there were reports Austrian banking group Bawag ws looking to acquire Finance Ireland. However, discussions on the takeover ended in the middle of March without an agreement.

Since then, Bawag has announced it plans to acquire pillar bank PTSB in an all-cash transaction valued at €1.6bn. Bawag was one of six initial bidders for PTSB when it put itself up for sale in October last year.