Winners announced for IOB Future of Finance Awards 2024

At a special ceremony celebrating financial services professionals at the Convention Centre Dublin last month, IOB announced the winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards 2024. 

The IOB Future of Finance Awards recognise individuals who have led innovative projects or initiatives to advance progress within their financial services organisation.

IOB Future of Finance Awards Nominees share their hopes and vision for the future of the financial services sector.

Recognising financial services leaders

Speaking at the event, Mary O’Dea, Chief Executive of IOB, said “at IOB we are so proud to recognise these outstanding financial services leaders and teams who go above and beyond for customers and clients. The winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards 2024 have sought out innovative ways to drive progress within their organisation and make a positive impact. Congratulations to all those who were nominated and the very worthy winners of this year’s Awards.”

IOB Future of Finance Award Winners 

Pictured with Meliosa O'Caoimh, Northern Trust, Country Head, Ireland and Chair of the Judging Committee, the winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards are:

Risk Management – James Brassil, AIB

James Brassil is Head of Credit Performance with AIB. He developed a cutting-edge ‘early warning indicator’ (EWI) as a proactive credit management solution to support customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties. The initiative was described as a ‘transformational change’ within the organisation, with customers already experiencing the benefits. The introduction of the EWI framework has led to the development of more proactive credit management practices in his bank. His nominator for the Award said that “James’ vision and boundless energy has driven and ensured the success of the project”.

Compliance Champion – Eavan Garvey, US Bank - Europe / Elavon

Eavan Garvey is Chief Compliance Officer with US Bank – Europe / Elavon. She has led the development of a challenging new compliance and conduct framework across multiple regulatory regimes internationally. Eavan is a strong advocate for vulnerable customers and has demonstrated strong leadership in risk and compliance. She was described by her nominator as a ‘true people champion’. Eavan’s work has strengthened risk culture with tangible measures – allowing her organisation to understand ‘pinches before they become pain points’.

Digital Transformation - Ciara McGuigan, Bank of Ireland

Ciara McGuigan is Senior Proposition Manager, Group Marketing and Customer Propositions with Bank of Ireland. Ciara has led digital initiatives aligned to Bank of Ireland’s ESG strategy. This has included the development of schools' financial literacy programmes and the design and delivery of a digital resource to help customers better manage their money. Ciara’s nominator called the initiative ‘the most significant customer impacting digital initiative in the past year within the bank’. The tool has delivered over 100 million AI-driven, personalised insights to help customers become more financially resilient. The award was accepted by Sabrina Dunne, Head of Transformation Office, Change Enablement, Group Strategy & Transformation Division, Bank of Ireland.

Positive Impact in Sustainability - Bryan O’Hanlon, Bank of Ireland

Bryan O’Hanlon is Senior Proposition Manager with Bank of Ireland’s Group Marketing & Customer Propositions Office. Bryan used behavioural economics to design and deliver customer financial wellbeing propositions – driving progress on the ‘S’ of his bank’s ESG strategy. His work includes the delivery of practical supports for customers with long term credit card debt and in building the financial resilience of Irish consumers through saving. The work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ by financial wellbeing experts.

Sustainability Award (Team) – AIB Treasury Team 

The AIB treasury team are responsible for ensuring AIB’s green and social bond frameworks are maintained to a high standard. They have shown strong leadership in a broad range of sustainability objectives, including the delivery of impact reporting for green and social bonds. The team’s work has benefited society and the environment. Their green bond loans have resulted in an estimated annual emissions avoidance of over one million tons of CO2, and their social bond loans contributed to the provision of purpose-built accommodation for over 2,000 students and the creation of an estimated 7,000 jobs in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Ireland.

Culture Transformation (Team) - AIB’s Group Customer Care and Outcomes Team 

The AIB Customer Care and Outcomes team established an approach to improve complaints management, in a centralised unit called ‘Customer Care Limerick (CCL)’. The initiative has been expanded nationwide throughout AIB and it is now part of the bank’s core strategy. It focuses on putting the customer first and this can be seen daily in the way they approach customer complaints. Their approach is influencing mindsets, outcomes, products and ultimately their bank’s culture.