What is AIB and does it operate in the UK?

AIB (Allied Irish Banks) is one of Ireland’s largest banks and operates in the UK through AIB Group UK plc, which trades as AIB in Great Britain and First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland. AIB Group UK plc is regulated by the FCA and PRA in the UK and is one of the nine banks subject to the CMA’s open banking mandate. It offers personal and business banking services to customers in Northern Ireland and selectively in Great Britain.

What happened to Allied Irish Bank in the UK?

AIB has maintained a continuous presence in the UK, but its footprint has changed significantly over the decades. First Trust Bank — its Northern Ireland brand — has operated since 1928 (originally as Ulster Investment Bank). AIB Group’s UK operations were not subject to the same level of financial crisis as its Irish parent during 2008–2011, though AIB’s Irish operations required a major government bailout. In the UK, AIB continues to operate normally.

Is AIB better or worse than Revolut for everyday UK banking?

AIB and Revolut serve very different customer segments and purposes. AIB is a traditional bank with a branch network focused on Northern Ireland and business banking; it is not a digital-first consumer bank. Revolut is a UK-licensed digital bank offering multi-currency accounts, instant transfers, and app-based finance. For everyday personal banking in Great Britain, Revolut offers more features; for Northern Ireland business banking, AIB is a significant local institution.

Open Banking in Practice: As one of the nine CMA-mandated open banking banks, AIB Group UK is required to provide open banking API access for FCA-authorised third parties. Northern Ireland customers of First Trust Bank and AIB UK can connect their accounts to open banking apps. AIB Group is publicly listed in Ireland and the UK following its return to the Irish Stock Exchange in 2021. Read more about open banking and regional UK banks on openfuture.world.

FAQ

Is AIB the same as Allied Irish Bank?

Yes — AIB is the trading name of Allied Irish Banks, a major Irish bank with UK operations through AIB Group UK plc and First Trust Bank in Northern Ireland.

Can I use AIB online banking in the UK?

AIB Group UK customers in Northern Ireland can access online banking through the AIB UK or First Trust Bank website and app.

Does AIB operate in England, Scotland, and Wales?

AIB Group UK has a limited presence in Great Britain, mainly serving corporate and business customers; retail banking is primarily focused on Northern Ireland.