95% of fintech firms plan to hire in Ireland as sector remains confident about growth, but faster regulatory delivery needed to maintain momentum – FPAI survey
- 95% of firms have a positive or very positive outlook for the next 12 months
- Four in five (80%) firms are investing in internal upskilling and reskilling
- 85% of respondents reported productivity improvements from AI use
- The cost base and regulatory complexity were each rated very challenging by 40%
Monday 21st September 2026 – Ireland’s fintech and payments sector remains confident and is actively investing in future growth, according to the latest FPAI Fintech Survey 2026 published today by the Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland (FPAI). Some 95% of respondents reported a positive or very positive outlook for the next 12 months, while the same proportion plan to hire in Ireland in the next year. The findings, based on responses from fintech and payments firms operating in Ireland, point to a sector with ambitious plans to grow, recruit and invest. However, respondents also point to a need for faster execution on regulation, clearer and more proportionate requirements, practical market infrastructure and more structured routes for collaboration between banks and fintech firms.
The FPAI survey is published ahead of FintechNation 2026 at the Mansion House Dublin on Tuesday 22nd September, where industry leaders will discuss the technologies, business models and policy choices shaping the market.
Key findings from the survey show:
Strong confidence, hiring and investment
- 95% of respondents have a positive or very positive outlook for the next 12 months, while 95% plan to hire in Ireland in the next year.
- Four in five (80%) firms are investing in internal upskilling and reskilling.
Ireland’s strengths are clear, but competitiveness pressures remain
- Access to the EU market and Ireland’s corporation tax regime were highlighted as key benefits of operating here.
- The cost base and regulatory complexity were each rated very challenging by 40% of respondents.
Bank-fintech collaboration needs practical routes to adoption
- More than half (58%) identified decision-making timelines as a key consideration for collaboration, followed by technical integration (42%), procurement (37%) and risk requirements (37%).
- Standard APIs and frameworks were cited by 70% as a way to improve collaboration, while industry sandboxes, shared KYC or fraud utilities, and FPAI-led programmes were each supported by 45%.
AI use is widespread, but deeper adoption faces barriers
- 85% of respondents reported productivity improvements from AI use.
- 85% are using AI as general productivity assistants, while 60% are using it for customer service and 55% for software development.
- Key barriers to AI adoption are trust and explainability concerns (60%) and regulatory uncertainty (55%).
John O’Beirne, FPAI Chair and CEO & Executive Director, Squareup International Ltd, said: “The results from today’s survey show a fintech and payments sector that is confident about the future and ready to invest in further growth. The fact that 95% of respondents plan to hire in Ireland over the next year, alongside broad investment in skills development, is a strong endorsement of the opportunity here. However, confidence alone will not secure Ireland’s position. Firms are clear that competitiveness increasingly depends on how quickly policy and regulation are translated into practical implementation. Proportionate requirements, greater certainty and faster delivery will be essential if Ireland is to maintain its competitive edge and leading role in fintech and payments innovation.”
Mr O’Beirne continued: “There is also clear appetite to deepen collaboration between banks and fintechs by developing practical routes to adoption. Standard APIs, industry sandboxes and structured FPAI programmes can support efficient decision-making and integration while maintaining robust risk and compliance standards.”
Turning to the use of AI within the sector, he added: “AI is already widely used across the sector, with 85% of respondents reporting productivity improvements. The most common use is as a general productivity assistant, cited by 85% of firms. Three in five use AI for customer service, while more than half use it in software development. However, concerns around trust and regulatory uncertainty may be holding back deeper adoption. These findings suggest that addressing those barriers will be critical if firms are to move beyond established use cases and realise more of AI’s potential across their businesses.”
He concluded: “The priority now is to build on current momentum and strengthen Ireland’s position as a market where fintech and payments can continue to scale.”
ENDS/
*The FPAI Fintech and Payments Survey was conducted in Q3 2026 with fintech and payments firms operating in Ireland.
FPAI: Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland (FPAI) is an affiliate of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) and is the representative body for the fintech sector in Ireland. It was established in 2015 to foster an environment in which both indigenous and multinational fintech companies can thrive and get the best from locating and doing business in Ireland. Its membership reflects the full spectrum of Irish fintech, from start-ups and scaling firms through to domestic and multinational banks and technology companies. Visit www.fpai.ie.
BPFI: Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) represents the banking, payments and fintech sector in Ireland. Together with its affiliates, the Federation of International Banks in Ireland and the Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland, BPFI has over 120 member institutions and associates, including licensed domestic and foreign banks and institutions operating in the financial marketplace.
Contact: Fiona Murphy, Head of Communications, fiona.murphy@bpfi.ie or Jillian Heffernan, Director of Communications, jillian.heffernan@bpfi.ie.
