Jim O'Keeffe, managing director of retail banking at AIB, has been appointed president of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) banking lobby.

O'Keeffe has overseen changes to AIB's retail customer relationships, digital services, branch banking and group mortgages, and he also worked as a senior level for AIB's former operations in Poland.

In 2015, he joined AIB's executive committee as head of financial solutions group, reducing the bank's non-performing exposures.

He went on to become chief customer & strategic affair officer in 2018, and since January 2020 he has led AIB's retail customer franchise.

He is also responsible for a number of AIB entities and joint ventures, including AIB Mortgage Bank, EBS, Haven, AIBMS, Payzone, Nifti and AIB’s planned new joint venture with Great West Life Co.   

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“I am delighted to be appointed president of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland at a time when the sector is focusing on a number of key priorities to support our customers and communities," O'Keeffe said. 

"These priorities include the migration of more than one million customer bank accounts from Ulster Bank and KBC; continuing to work with the Irish Banking Culture Board; and following through on the recommendations from the Minister for Finance’s Retail Banking Review."

O'Keeffe added: “BPFI plays a key role in representing the banking, payments and fintech sectors in Ireland with over 125 members. We also represent the sector at EU level where key decisions are taken.

"Working together with BPFI and all its members I look forward to my term ahead as we continue to build trust, engagement and innovation across the sector in the interests of all our customers and communities."

Together with affiliates the Federation of International Banks in Ireland and the Fintech & Payments Association Ireland, BPFI has over 125 member institutions and associates in the banking, payments and fintech sector in Ireland.

Photo: Jim O'Keeffe. (Pic: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce)