• Loan volumes rose by 19% in 2025 to 272,980 compared to 2024, while loan values rose by 18.6% reaching more than €2.9 billion over the same period.
• There were 78,977 car loans in 2025, valued at over €1 billion (€1,015 million), 19.3% higher in volume and 18.6% higher in value than in 2024.
• Fastest increase in activity in 2025 seen in green personal loans which jumped by 25.8% in volume and 27.7% in value year-on-year.
Annual personal loan activity, including car, home improvement and green loans, reached record highs in 2025, according to new figures from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). Total loan volumes rose by almost 20% (19%) to 272,980 compared with 2024, while loan values also rose by almost 20% (18.6%) reaching more than €2.9 billion over the same period. The BPFI Personal Loan Report for Q4 2025, which is issued on a quarterly basis, details the volume, values and uses of personal loans drawn down from participating BPFI member banks. The following are the key figures from the report:
Total loans
- There were 67,626 personal loan drawdowns in Q4 2025, valued at €693 million, representing an increase of 19.9% in volume and 18.0% in value year on year.
- The average personal loan value decreased by €172 year on year to €10,253.
- Looking at 2025 as a whole, there were 272,980 personal loans drawn down, up 19% in volume compared to 2024. The value of drawdowns rose by 18.6% to almost €2.9 billion.
Car loans
- The number of car or auto finance loans rose by 20.3% year on year to 18,340 in Q4 2025, while the value of loans increased by 17.5% to €229 million.
- The average car loan in Q4 2025 was €12,463, down from €12,757 a year earlier.
- In total during 2025, there were 78,977 car loans valued at over €1,015 million, 19.3% higher in volume and 18.6% higher in value than in 2024.
Home improvement loans
- There were 17,584 home improvement loans in Q4 2025, up by 17.0% year on year. These were valued at €213 million, 17.0% higher than Q4 2024.
- The average home improvement loan value in Q4 2025 was €12,085 compared to €12,086 in Q4 2024.
- In annual terms, home improvement loan volumes reached 68,750 an increase of 14% compared to 2024, while values rose by 15.2% to €868 million.
Other loans – including education, holidays and special occasions such as weddings
- A total of 31,702 for other purposes were drawn down in Q4 2025, a rise of 21.5% in volume year on year, with values rising by 19.3% to €252 million over the same period.
- The average loan value in Q4 2025 for other loans was €7,957 down from €8,106 in Q4 2024.
- In total during 2025, there were 125,523 other purpose loans valued at €1,022 million, up by 21.7% in volume and 21.8% in value year on year,
Green loans
- The value of green personal loans rose by 19.4% year on year to €36.1 million in Q4 2025. The number of green loans rose by 17.8% over the same period to 1,562.
- The average green loan was relatively high at €23,105 in Q4 2025, more than twice the average of €10,425 for all loans in the same quarter.
- In annual terms, green loan volumes jumped by 25.8% to 6,516 loans, values rose by 27.7% to €152.6 million.
Commenting on today’s report, Brian Hayes, Chief Executive, BPFI said:
"Record drawdowns of personal loans in 2025 points to strong consumer confidence with many households continuing to seek finance to invest in major life purchases. Annual figures show that there were 272,980 personal loan drawdowns valued at more than €2.9 billion, up 19% in volume compared to 2024, with values 18.6% higher. These were more than double both the volume and value levels from 2020, when the data series began. Notably, the increase in 2025 were not confined to one segment, with activity rising across all categories.”
Mr Hayes continued:
“Looking more closely at the key categories, there were 78,977 car loans in 2025, valued at over €1 billion (€1,015 million), 19.3% higher in volume and 18.6% higher in value than in 2024. The value of loans for other purposes, including education, weddings and holidays, also exceeded €1 billion (€1,022 million), an increase of 21.8% in value year on year, with volumes up 21.7% to 125,523. Home improvement loan activity grew more slowly, increasing by 14% in volume to 68,750 and by 15.2% in value to €868 million. The fastest increase in activity in 2025 was seen in green personal loans (albeit from a lower base) which jumped by 25.8% in volume year-on-year to 6,516 loans, and by 27.7% in value, reaching €152.6 million. We know that energy costs have increased significantly this year. With the renewed focus on energy saving measures and renewable energy and the latest SEAI data showing a 186% increase in individual home energy upgrades in Q1 2026, it will be interesting to observe if personal loan trends in the coming months reflects any further shift in consumer priorities.”
Turning to average loan values, Mr Hayes added: “While volumes and values were up across the board, in annual terms, the average loan fell by €32 to €10,644 in 2025, while the average car loan fell by €73 during 2025 to €12,853. In contrast, the average home improvement loan rose by €129 to €12,631 and the average green loan rose by €341 in 2025 to €23,423, more than twice the overall average personal loan value.”
The BPFI Personal Loans Report Q4 2025 can be downloaded here
