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Default Line: How being the easy option is worth billions

We all like things to be as convenient as possible, which proves to be very lucrative for any company that can make itself the default option, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 20 Aug

The average home mortgage drawdown value in the first half of 2025 reached the highest semi-annual level on record at €329,444, new BPFI figures show

H1 mortgage drawdown values hit highest level since 2008

Mortgage drawdown values reached almost €6.2 billion in the first half of 2025 - the highest half year values since 2008 - new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show.

Business • 25 Jul

The number of customers switching electricity suppliers jumped by 51% to 34,791 in July, up from 23,039 the same time last year

Energy supplier switching rates hit two year high in July

Energy supplier switching rates for July increased to their highest levels in two years, the latest CRU Customer Switching Report for the electricity and gas retail markets shows.

Business • 19 Sep 24

A total of 5,349 mortgages were approved in October, new BPFI figures show

Growth in mortgage approvals driven by switching

The number of first time buyers being approved for a mortgage has dropped to its lowest level since 2019, new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show.

Business • 24 Nov 22

60% of consumers reported challenges in switching with the transfer of direct debits and payments the most commonly cited challenge

1 in 8 switchers yet to decide on new banking provider

One in eight consumers who are in the position of having to switch banking providers, because of the impending departure of Ulster Bank and KBC, have yet to decide on a new provider.

Business • 02 Nov 22

The survey found a reluctance to switch despite the savings often on offer

Pace of switching in health insurance market slows

The pace of switching health insurance providers in the Irish market is slowing down a new survey has found, with just a fifth of adults saying they've moved insurers in the past two years.

Business • 25 Feb 19

A Competition and Consumer Protection Commission report not happy with cashback offers for new mortgage customers

'Dysfunctional' mortgage market needs more competition

The Irish mortgage market is "dysfunctional", needs more competition and the State should try to attract more entrants, according to a new report.

Business • 16 Jun 17

Switching