The News

Mortgage activity slows but lending to FTB remains robust

The volume of new mortgages drawn down by first-time buyers in the second three months of the year fell for the first time since the pandemic in 2020. However, first-time buyers remained the single biggest segment of the market by both volume and value, accounting for 63%. According to new data from the Banking and […]

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Government extends Abhaile scheme for four more years

The Abhaile scheme, which supports families who are in serious or long-term mortgage arrears and are at risk of losing their homes, has been extended by the Government for a further four years. Funded and managed jointly by the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice, the scheme was set up in 2016 […]

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20% never carry cash, younger people leading the way

Younger people are leading the way when it comes to cashless living, with half of 18-24 year olds saying they never carry money. New figures from Royal London Ireland, a life insurance and pensions company, show that in total, 20% of people in Ireland never carry cash. Those over the age of 55 were less […]

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Euro zone firms slash loan demand to lowest on record – ECB poll

Euro zone firms’ demand for loans dropped to the lowest on record last quarter and a further decline is likely over the summer as lenders continue to tighten access to credit, the European Central Bank said today based on a survey of big banks. A key input in policy deliberations, the survey is further proof […]

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41% of charities failed to file annual finances on time

Many Irish charities failed to meet their obligations under governance standards last year, according to the Charities Regulator. Its latest annual report shows that 41% of charities failed to file their annual finances and activities on time. The 11,506 registered charities are legally required to file annual reports within ten months of their financial year-end, […]

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Oil edges higher, buoyed by tighter supplies

Oil prices rose today, buoyed by evidence of tightening supplies and economic stimulus in slow-recovering China. Brent futures were up $1.02 at $80.66 a barrel by 1134 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed $1 to $76.65 a barrel. “The supply deficit that had been looming in the second half of the year […]

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‘Consumers feeling strengths as well as strains’

The pressures facing Irish consumers are fading but are far from finished, according to the Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index, which showed the mood among consumers improved fractionally in July. Economist Austin Hughes said holidays and summer sales likely encouraged a pick-up in spending plans. However, a slight pull-back in household financial circumstances suggests consumers […]

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Annual wholesale electricity prices down over 35% in June

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show the price of wholesale electricity in June rose by 11.3% from May, but fell by 35.6% compared to June of last year. The CSO said that the overall Energy Products Index increased by 9% since May of this year but slowed by 33.5% when compared with June […]

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