The Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB) hosted the second Proud to Work in Banking Awards to celebrate staff in the retail banking sector whose behaviours align with IBCB values and lead to enhanced customer outcomes. 

The IBCB established the Proud to Work in Banking Awards to recognise staff across their 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 320 nominations for the Awards in 2025. This is a testament to the positive behaviours demonstrated by staff contributing hugely to a healthy culture across the banking sector. 

Speaking about the event, IBCB Chairman, Mr. Justice John Hedigan, said: “In our 2023 éist Staff Culture Survey, we found that 61% of bank staff feel proud to work in banking which reflects a four percentage point increase from 2021, and we are hopeful this figure with rise again in our survey in 2026. When we engaged with staff to understand these metrics further, we learned that there is a real need to celebrate the fantastic work ongoing across the sector, to recognise the important contributions made by staff every day across the country and to provide an opportunity for peers to recognise the ways they are inspired by colleagues.” 

Speaking at the event, Marion Kelly, CEO of the IBCB, said: “This year we received more than 320 nominations from staff in recognition of their colleagues who live the IBCB’s values and who made them, and all of us, feel proud to work in banking.” 

“We are delighted that so many of the nominations related to initiatives and work focussed on diversity and inclusion, and financial awareness and financial inclusion for marginalised groups, including fantastic initiatives that support customers in a vulnerable position such as survivors of domestic abuse and meeting neuro inclusion needs. These are just some examples of the important work that bank staff do to support their customers and colleagues alike, on a daily basis. Financial awareness and financial inclusion empower people and society with financial wellbeing, and it is very clear that this is a core priority across our member banks.” 

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 key way for us to assess the impact of this work with customers and stakeholders. Over the past four years, findings have consistently shown steady increases in trust levels in the Irish banking sector, with trust levels returning to a positive score in 2024. The challenge ahead is to continue to grow trust levels, and I have no doubt that this fantastic work by staff across the sector will enable continued improvements in the period ahead.” 

Speaking at the event, Joanne O’Riordan, Guest Speaker and MC for the Award event, said: “Not long ago, organisational pride might have felt a little out of reach in the banking world. But tonight, it’s real. It’s earned. It’s growing. Because this sector—our sector—is changing. And not just in small ways but in meaningful, lasting ones. We’re seeing a shift from tradition-bound structures toward 

something far more human, inclusive, and forward-thinking. Culture is no longer just an internal buzzword. It’s the foundation of how we treat each other, show up for customers, and build trust.” 

Joanne O’Riordan continued: “Banking is, at its heart, about trust. And people trust institutions that honour their dignity, reflect their values, and listen to their voices. That’s why events like the Proud to Work in Banking Awards matter, because behind every award is a story of someone who made the culture stronger, kinder, and more human. Celebrating the people who are reshaping Irish banking from the inside out is key to building workplaces where people are respected, supported, and empowered.” 

The event was attended by more than 180 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. 

 

About the Irish Banking Culture Board Proud to Work in Banking Awards 

People can follow the Proud to Work in Banking campaign on LinkedIn and Instagram by searching #proudtoworkinbanking. 

The purpose of the awards is to: 

• Encourage and recognise behaviours of staff across member banks that align with the IBCB’s values. 
• Promote and highlight positive stories internally and externally. 
• Celebrate how staff across IBCB member banks are driving cultural change for the benefit of the sector. 
• Support staff to feel proud to work in banking. 

The Award categories are aligned to the IBCB’s purpose and. There are six individual categories: Accountability, Customer focus, Ethical behaviour, Leadership, Respect and Empathy and Speaking Up & Psychological Safety. In addition, this year there are two team award categories: Customer Focused Culture Change Team Award and Internal Culture Change Team Award. 

More information on the IBCB Proud to work in Banking Awards can be found on the Proud page.