Founded in 1898, the Institute of Bankers in Ireland is the leading professional body in banking and financial services in Ireland and aims to develop fully the professional potential of men and women working in these areas.

The Institute of Bankers School of Professional Finance is a recognised School of University College Dublin, affiliated with the UCD College of Business and Law.

In 2008/09, the Institute offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of Financial Services courses available anywhere in the world. The courses, ranging from Certificate to PhD, offer a range of choices to help professionals develop their knowledge and advance their careers. They combine the best of distance education and conventional classroom learning, so students can take an Institute course no matter where they live on the island of Ireland. Also, because of the built-in credit accumulation system, students can enter with school-leaving qualifications to advance from Certificate to Diploma, onwards to a university degree, and postgraduate qualifications. There are also advanced entry points for graduates to many Institute courses.