Contributions to Publications
The IBCB was pleased to be included again (pg. 261) in this year’s ‘The Starling Compendium: Culture & Conduct Risk in the Banking Sector’ (May 2022).
The report can be found here:
Deputy Chair of the Irish Banking Culture Board, Professor Blanaid Clarke, TCD provided an updated chapter for the book ‘Pandemic Crisis and Financial Stability’ (July 28, 2021). Professor Clarke revisits the Irish Retail banks’ response to the Pandemic. Following the first publication in 2020, she ‘examines what the banks did next and in particular, whether they continue along an upward cultural trajectory’. Professor Clarke also examines the role played by the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB) in influencing culture in the banking sector and ensuring that the Irish banks continue to meet their responsibilities to act in a fair, ethical, accountable, and humane manner.
Pandemic Crisis and Financial Stability Full Book Here:
Contributions to
Speaking Events
28th Sep 2021 | Marion Kelly
Arthur Cox: Culture and Conduct (SEAR): Q&A Session
25 Nov 2021 | Jade McDonagh
Integrity at work – Encouraging integrity in the workplace (speaker)
27 Nov 2021 | Marion Kelly
FSU Conference: Future of Banking on Island of Ireland (panel member)
01 Dec 2021 | Marion Kelly
Women in Finance Awards (speaker) on How is ESG effecting the Irish Financial Ecosystem with sustainable finance products, fuelling economic recovery and societal impact?
09 Mar 2022 | Mr. Justice John Hedigan, IBCB Chair
UCD Sutherland School of Law & Eversheds Sutherland launch of the book “New Accountability in Financial Services: Changing Individual Behaviour and Culture” by Joe McGrath and Ciaran Walker (panel chair)
24 May 2022 | Jennifer Hughes
National Advocacy Service Accessible Banking Products and Processes (speaker)
In addition, during the period, the IBCB have presented to the New York Federal Reserve Bank Supervisors Roundtable on two occasions, and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
Contributions to Consultations
Department of Finance Banking Review
The IBCB participated in the Department of Finance ‘Future of Banking’, review of retail banking and submitted a response to the consultation. Our submission focussed on those aspects of the consultation which are core to the purpose and activities of the IBCB and focussed on promoting positive behaviour and culture in banking for the benefit of bank customers, staff and wider society. We await the outcome of this consultation and look forward to engaging with the Department of Finance and other stakeholders in the next stage of this review.
In the past year, the IBCB also responded to the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) consultation processes on the CBI’s Strategic Plan review and Stakeholder Engagement review.
Additionally, the IBCB responded to the Decision Support Service consultation on the Code of Practice for Finance Professionals for the Assisted Decision-Making Act (ADMA) and to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021. We look forward to the launch of the ADMA and the Decision Support Service, which will enable some customers to manage their own finances or to avail of specific supports to help them manage finances.
In October 2021, the IBCB responded with a submission for the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2021 to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. Individual accountability is a cornerstone of positive behaviour and culture. The IBCB and each of our five member banks are strong advocates for the introduction of an effective accountability regime in Ireland, similar to that in successful operation in many other jurisdictions globally.
Contributions to Partnerships & Supports
Women In Finance Charter
The Women in Finance Charter was launched in April 2022. The IBCB is proud to be a supporter of this charter, which underpins the financial services industry’s ambition to see increased participation of women at all levels, including junior, middle, and senior management, leadership and board roles within financial services organisations based in Ireland. We know that more diverse and inclusive workforces lead to diversity of thought and better decision-making in organisations. The IBCB’s 2021 Éist survey of bank culture highlighted perspectives from bank staff on equal opportunities in the industry. Women make up a higher proportion of junior grades and a lower proportion of senior grades. This is reflective of the global financial services sector but fostering and developing the careers of women in the banking industry will help recruit and retain talented staff and will contribute to a more inclusive and diverse industry, benefiting organisations and wider business community and society as a whole.
IOB
We continue to partner with and support the IOB and contribute annually to its Level 9 Professional Diploma in Leading Cultural Change and Ethical Behaviours in Financial Services. We are delighted the IOB, has been granted IFS Skillnet funding for this programme going forward which means IOB are offering the programme at a price discount of up to 30%.
NALA
The IBCB is committed to using transparent and respectful communications. To support this the IBCB are members of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and in February 2022 the IBCB team undertook NALA’s Plain English training and have been incorporating the learnings into our communications since then.
Employers for Change
The team also received training from Employers for Change to gain a better understanding on how to create an inclusive communications policy for people living with a disability.
LiFT
We continue to support and endorse the work of LiFT Ireland.
