Bank of Ireland Reviews 

I managed to open the account OK and then logged in. The website doesn't look great but is manageable.

I selected to transfer an ISA and started the process. I got a confirmation I'd done it and then nothing happened. For weeks.

I sent a secure message to ask what was happening, and got a reply to say it takes time (!)

After over a month (transfers typically take a fortnight), I got a message to say they couldn't transfer the money because the amount was wrong.

They asked me to re-request a transfer, essentially because they can't do their job on time.

The amount was wrong because, they'd been so slow moving the money that I'd earned interest in the meantime.

I'm surprised such a slapdash organisation was on the moneysavingexpert website because I thought there was some level of vetting, but I guess not.

Probably the worst bank in the UK. And that's saying something!

Idiots update their app over the weekend breaking it and have no telephone support to fix it. I CANNOT ACCESS MY ACOUNT!!!!!!!!

Classic case of fixing something that isn't broken. Disgusting.

Trying to set up a new ISA account with Bank of Ireland. Norton anti-virus blocks the website. Have phoned BoI who say, "of yeah, just use your mobile phone not your PC".
How about I just use a bank that Norton does not block!

Made many calls about fraudulent activity on my bank card, but responses by the fraud helpline were disastrous. Not helpful, not conversational, not interested in customer, calls only caused more stress than fraud caused in the first place. No advice offered, no follow-up, left me hanging. I only got courteous help and advice from my branch staff. Valerie Brown

I’ve currently been on hold for 2 hours as caller number 1 in the queue. So wait? Do you just not employ any staff to answer the phones. Wonder how long I’ll be on hold for….

Terrible online platform, predatory mortgage practises and useless customer service

Absolutely awful IT and customer services. Can't set up an online hub to see our current mortgage balance or do pretty much anything with our mortgage and customer service can't tell us what is wrong to fix it. Absolutely useless all round, avoid like the plaque.

If I could rate lower than one star I would.

BOI’s incompetence nearly cost me my home, for some reason they use an intermediate bank for UK payments, their intermediate bank flagged my RENT payment, this was TWENTY THREE months of consistent payment to same account with no changes.

BOI dealing with this issue gave me consistently wrong information or just none at all. They were incredibly slow to get any action done to the point my letting agent was threatening an issue to vacate the property due to the banking errors caused by BOI.

This was not an issue that could be set aside, yet nothing was acted with urgency, didn’t receive the contact they said they would.

Do not even open an account, unless you want a nightmare when things go wrong.

They tell you to verify your phone number than don't send the code,tried ringing using different menus 1st in the que for all but no one answers any of the calls
Will definitely be moving banks

I am with bank of ireland for years now, but I am looking for another bank to change it, because for the second year they let Norton Antivirus company to take 99.99 euros from my account without my consent, although I cancelled the subscription with them 2 years ago, when I contacted them they said, we can do nothing, simply because Norton is an international company they don't want to lose it. So I do not recommend it to any one and will move from them soon.

Appalling user experience when trying to open an ISA with them. Nonsensical to offer a market leading rate but not have the UX in place to support applications. I opened one last week and sent a deposit, but nothing is showing in their system. I'm chasing to get my money returned and account cancelled within the 14 day cooling off period but no idea what they're doing. Money isn't even showing in the account yet. I've received an email from them saying it could take four weeks to investigate and get back to me. Now found a better rate elsewhere, have opened and have money credited there straight away. Their systems are terribly ineffective, couldn't get through on the phone as they cut me off after long waits. I'd advise anyone to look elsewhere, sadly Martin Lewis is promoting this product on his league table but really needs to consider the customer service given and make people aware of these potential issues.

Absolutely terrible customer service. Just try and talk to a member of staff and see how impossible it is. I have my mortgage with this company, but I can’t get to talk to anyone about it. What an absolute joke. If there was a no star setting, I would press it. I’m going to change my mortgage account to a more customer friendly business.

If I could give zero stars, I would. Our experience with BOI has been extremely disappointing and frustrating.

We first decided to open an account with BOI, but the process was unnecessarily long and inefficient. While another bank processed my account smoothly and delivered my card within a few days, my husband had to wait more than two months before his BOI account and card became available—despite being repeatedly told by customer service that it would arrive “within a few days.” To make things worse, BOI also charges higher fees compared to competitors.

Later, we applied for a BOI credit card because of their advertised travel rewards. The application claimed to be processed within 24 hours, but weeks passed with no update. Only when we followed up did we learn that additional documents were required—something we were never informed about beforehand. After submitting the requirements, we were told the card was approved and would arrive within 5–7 days. Yet again, weeks passed with no card. Multiple follow-ups led to the same vague response: “It’s still in process.” No clear explanation, no accountability. After more than two months of waiting, we finally decided to cancel and applied with another bank (R******), which came highly recommended for both service and travel rewards.

This entire experience has been a complete waste of time. BOI’s processes are slow, disorganized, and inconsistent. Their customer service provides generic answers but no real solutions. Compared to other banks in Ireland, BOI is falling behind in both system efficiency and client service.

We will never recommend BOI to anyone. If BOI doesn’t improve its processes and customer service, it will continue to lose clients to competitors who provide faster, more reliable, and customer-focused service.

Verdict: Worst banking experience we’ve ever had.

I’ve had a mortgage with Bank of Ireland UK since June 2025. While I’ve paid every instalment on time, I’ve been completely unable to access or manage my account digitally.

The only tool they offer — the Mortgage Hub — has been inaccessible for over two months due to ongoing IT issues. I’ve called customer service multiple times, and each time I’m told the issue will be resolved “soon.” That promise has been repeated weekly, with the fix date constantly pushed back and no clear explanation.

There’s no mobile app, no alternative platform, and no accountability. In 2025, it’s astonishing that a bank expects customers to manage a mortgage without any digital access. I was promised a working interface. What I’ve received is delay after delay, and a total lack of transparency.

If you’re considering Bank of Ireland UK for your mortgage, be prepared to manage one of the biggest financial commitments of your life without the basic tools you’d expect from any modern institution.

Very helpful, very detailed and thorough

BOI closed my local branch and moved my account to a branch over 40 miles away. That didn't matter to me as I hadn't used the account actively since 2009 and last transaction date was 2011.

I was made aware earlier this year that they were still sending paper statements to a property that I haven't lived in since 2013, so I phoned up and asked them to cancel the account. They said no, and I could only do this in branch. I said fine, move me to online statements. They said they couldn't, because the account was inactive they couldn't access it on their system (odd, as they could send statements...). They told me that I would need to either visit a branch or change it myself on their online portal, and it turns out I can't use the online portal because my account was inactive.

I finally said they would need to switch off paper statements as it was a GDPR breach, as I told them I didn't live in that property for 12 years and they were sending my personal info to strangers, and I reminded them I didn't decide to close my local branch, and it wasn't easy to get to. I was met with a don't care attitude, and the agent basically admitted that the bank would be happy to continue breaching data protection unless I went well out of my way to resolve their issue.

Shambles of a company, no wonder everyone is switching to the new online banks.

I am currently in the process of applying for a mortgage, and I must express that the level of customer service I have received has been the worst I have ever experienced.

I'm Irish - Thought they could be trusted was wrong

Don't not get a mortgage with all the fees etc.

if there were 0 stars, that would be better! awful service, my husband and I asked for a credit card with them and they are always finding new things for us to send to them, and mind you that we have a joint account AND a mortgage with them! they are f awful!

Don't get a Mortgage with this bank, the online portal is pathetic, trying to make an overpayment is a monthly nightmare for me, I cant just simply set it up as a direct debit or call them to do it as that's not allowed, and the online platform is like it was built by cavemen.
I personally think they make it as difficult as possible so they continue to make more for the interest payments which surely borders on its legality.
On top of that my last overpayment is dated Feb 23 on my online account even though I've been making Monthly overpayments every month since then and they don't take overpayments off the account if below £500 so when I make overpayments they can sit somewhere until I message them to take them off.
Honestly useless is an understatement, worst experience I've had with any bank and cant wait to switch as soon as possible.