AIB (NI)

Who they are

AIB (NI) is a commercial bank in Northern Ireland and part of Allied Irish Banks' UK subsidiary, AIB Group (UK) plc. The bank can trace its roots back to 1816 with the founding of the Belfast Savings Bank , though its modern form dates from 1991 when TSB Northern Ireland merged with AIB Group's other interests. For years it traded as First Trust Bank before undergoing a full rebrand to AIB (NI) in 2020, aligning it more closely with its parent company, AIB Group plc. Today it maintains a streamlined network of seven branches across Northern Ireland , serving both personal and business customers alongside its online and mobile banking services.

Savings accounts

AIB (NI) covers a reasonable spread of account types. The standout is the Regular Saver Account, which pays 6.00% variable on instant-access savings from just £10 - a strong rate for anyone happy to build a habit of monthly deposits. For those who want the certainty of a fixed return, the Fixed Rate Saver is available at 4.00% for both 12 and 24 months, with a £5,000 minimum deposit and no access until maturity. A shorter 6-month fixed option sits at 3.53%, also with a £5,000 minimum. There is also a Cash ISA paying 3.50% variable with instant access from £50, and a Select Account easy-access option at 1.50% variable - useful as a home for day-to-day savings but not one to rely on if rate matters most.

All accounts carry FSCS protection. AIB (NI) savings are FSCS protected up to £120,000 per person, per banking licence, under AIB Group (UK) plc - and that same limit is shared with Allied Irish Bank (GB). AIB Group (UK) plc operates under the trading names of AIB (NI) in Northern Ireland and Allied Irish Bank (GB) and Allied Irish Bank (GB) Savings Direct in Great Britain, and if you hold savings under any of those brands, those balances all count toward the same £120,000 ceiling. Worth knowing before you spread money across them.

Is it right for you?

AIB (NI) is a sensible choice if you want a full-service local bank rather than a standalone savings platform - particularly if you are based in Northern Ireland and value having a branch nearby. The Regular Saver rate is genuinely competitive, and the fixed products are straightforward with no bonus-rate trickery to watch out for. The easy-access Select Account rate is low, so if maximising returns on a flexible pot is the priority, you will likely find better options elsewhere in the market.

As always, rates on variable accounts can change at any time. Check the live figures shown on this page for the most up-to-date numbers before you decide.