The Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB) has hosted its second Proud to Work in Banking Awards to celebrate retail banking staff who enhance customer outcomes with their behaviour.

The IBCB established the 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: staff members nominate colleagues both from their immediate business unit and across their bank for initiatives and circumstances that "make them feel proud."

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.

The IBCB received more than 320 nominations for the awards in 2025, which it said is a testament to the positive behaviours demonstrated by staff contributing hugely to a healthy culture across the banking sector.

John Hedigan, chair of the IBCB, said that the board is hopeful that the number of staff who feel proud to work in banking will be higher in 2026 than the 61% in 2023 when it last conducted its staff culture survey.

"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," he added.

Speaking at the event, IBCB CEO Marion Kelly said: “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.”

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.

Photo: Pictured at the event were IBCB's CEO, Marion Kelly, and IBCB team. The event was MC'd by Joanne O'Riordan, also pictured. (Pic: Barry Dillon)