The Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB) has hosted its third Proud to Work in Banking Awards to celebrate staff in the retail banking sector whose behaviours align with the IBCB behaviour and culture values and lead to enhanced customer outcomes.
The IBCB established the Proud to Work in Banking Awards to recognise staff across its member banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB) whose behaviour stands out and enhances the reputation of retail banks as a good place to work.
The awards are conducted on a peer nomination basis; colleagues nominate fellow team members both from their immediate business unit and across their bank for initiatives and circumstances that make them feel proud. The IBCB received more than 385 nominations for the Awards in 2026. This is a testament to the positive behaviours demonstrated by staff contributing hugely to a healthy culture across the Irish retail banking sector.
Speaking about the event, Chairman of the IBCB, Mr. Justice John Hedigan, said: “One of our key roles is to listen to stakeholders, including staff across the Irish retail banking sector – hence why our surveys are called éist: the Irish word for listen. Bank staff told us that there is a need to celebrate the great behaviours and amazing work that happens day in and day out across the sector. These important initiatives and contributions all have one great commonality – improved outcomes for customers and colleagues.”
Speaking at the event, Marion Kelly, CEO of the IBCB, said: “This year we received almost 400 nominations from staff in recognition of their colleagues who live the IBCB’s values and who make all of us feel proud to work in banking.”
“We are delighted that so many of the nominations related to initiatives which put customer outcomes at the centre of activities – be that in improved customer journeys from mortgages and home renovations, fraud protection and prevention, technical resilience of platforms or support in times of bereavement. Financial awareness and financial inclusion initiatives, which empower people and society with financial wellbeing, were also a core focus throughout the nominations.”
Marion Kelly continued: “Since our establishment in 2019, the IBCB and our member banks have focused on rebuilding trust in banking in Ireland and our éist Public Trust in Banking survey is another important way for us to assess the impact of this work with customers and stakeholders. Our most recent external survey was in field earlier this year, and the 2026 results point to broadly stable trust levels in IBCB member banks, despite the impact of rising economic and geopolitical concerns. The results also emphasise the importance of human contact and support in relation to trust and point to the positive trust impact for IBCB member banks who offer a blend of in-person and digital channels to their customers. The findings from our most recent staff survey have shown that, even in the face of significant change across the sector, customer outcomes remain a priority. Additionally, ethical behaviour is clearly demonstrated, with more than 83% of staff stating their organisation does business ethically.”
The event was attended by more than 200 banking staff, including shortlisted nominees, award nominators and senior leaders across IBCB member banks. It was also attended by the directors of the IBCB Board and some key stakeholders from across the industry. The event celebrated the behaviours of the finalists and winners and recognised them for the great customer outcomes they have facilitated and for their contributions to positive cultural change across the industry.
Photo Credit: Barry Dillon, Lenswork Productions
