Bank of Ireland UK today announced the arrival of its Tablet Banking App which is now available to download to iPad tablets with an Android version due to launch to users before Christmas. The new app is designed to mirror the services available to customers using 365 online and the Mobile Banking app, using the latest technology for tablet devices.

Customer desire for ‘on the go’ banking is evident. Currently 31% of all Bank of Ireland UK website visits in Northern Ireland are from mobile or tablet devices, up 11% from 2013², and the trend is expected to continue to grow.

The new Tablet Banking app will contribute to making banking more convenient for customers, enriching their digital banking experience with a personalised dashboard, financial visualisations and intuitive, simplified features. Users can:

• View balances and review transaction history for registered accounts
• Add and delete payees quickly and easily
• Pay bills and transfer money
• Re-arrange and hide accounts from view
• Sign up to, view and manage eStatements
• Access easy to understand financial graphs to help manage finances
• Save multiple users to each device for quick and easy login using a profile name

 “We are committed to making banking easy and accessible for Bank of Ireland UK customers, whether it is by phone, in branch, online, mobile and now on tablet,” said Sean Sheehan, Regional Director, NI Consumer & Small Business, Bank of Ireland UK.

“At 45% Northern Ireland (along with Wales) has the highest rate of tablet ownership in the UK, up from 29% a year ago and 9% in 2012³, so it was important for us to develop an app specifically for tablet devices that would enhance our customers  lives, using the features and technology behind these devices to allow them to manage accounts, view money manager graphs and apply for additional 365 online services in a way that suits the way they bank. We spoke with our customers and designed the tablet app with their needs in mind.  With tablet penetration in the UK estimated to exceed 50% by 2016¹ we understand that being a leading provider of smart technology is important to our growing customer base,” he said.

Bank of Ireland UK said that mobile banking usage continued to increase and it planned to launch some great new features that customers had been asking for on the Mobile Banking app later this year. It said changing needs and preferences of customers indicated that banking via apps on smartphones and tablet devices was growing at a considerable pace.

Customers can find out more details about the new tablet banking app here:

http://personalbanking.bankofireland.com/ways-to-bank/tablet-banking

Ends

About Bank of Ireland UK

Bank of Ireland (UK) plc is a subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Group which has been a leading retail bank in Ireland since it was established in 1783.  Bank of Ireland UK currently employs c 2,200 staff and serves over 3 million customers.  Bank of Ireland has operated in the UK for over 40 years, is a full service retail and commercial bank in Northern Ireland and is the market leader in car finance under the NIIB brand and has built a significant consumer and commercial business through a number of acquisitions including Bristol and West Building Society and through its partnership with the Post Office.

Bank of Ireland (UK) plc offers products in the UK market that are regulated in the same way as products offered by other UK based providers.  Bank of Ireland (UK) plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulations Authority.

For further information contact:

Sara Holland

Head of UK Communications

Bank of Ireland UK

M: +44 7831 718436

¹ Source: http://www.statista.com/statistics/249124/tablet-penetration-in-the-united-kingdom/

² Visitors to the Bank of Ireland NI website 2014 YTD – taken from Google Analytics

• 17% Mobile users (12% over the same period 2013)
• 14% Tablet users (8% over the same period 2013)

³ Ofcom’s Communication Report for Northern Ireland published August 7 2014