Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Apr 17, 2025
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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To be held on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at 11.00 a.m. (Irish time)
This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt about the course of action to take, you should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser who, if you are taking advice in Ireland, is authorised or exempted pursuant to the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 (as amended) or the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 (as amended), or, if you are taking advice in the United Kingdom, is authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended), or if you are resident in a territory outside Ireland and the United Kingdom, another appropriately authorised independent professional adviser.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in Bank of Ireland Group PLC, please forward this document and the accompanying Form of Proxy to the person through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee. If you have sold or otherwise transferred part of your holding of shares in Bank of Ireland Group PLC, you should retain this document and the Form of Proxy and consult the stockbroker, bank or other agent through or by whom the transfer or sale was effected.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of Bank of Ireland Group PLC (the "Company") is set out on pages 8 to 11 of this document.
Shareholders are entitled to appoint a proxy in respect of the AGM. The process for appointing a proxy and/or voting at the AGM will depend on the manner in which you hold your ordinary shares. Further information on the procedures to be followed in order to validly appoint a proxy are set out on pages 12 to 14 of this document.
In particular, persons who hold their interests in ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") through participants accounts in the securities settlement system operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear Bank") (the "EB System") or as CREST Depository Interests ("CDIs") through the CREST system ("CREST") should consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity for further information on the processes and timelines for submitting proxy votes for the AGM through the respective systems.
To be valid, all proxy instructions (whether submitted directly by way of a completed Form of Proxy or electronically via www.eproxyappointment.com in the case of registered holders of Ordinary Shares, or through the EB System (in the case of Euroclear Bank participants) or through CREST (in the case of holders of CDIs)) must be submitted as soon as possible so as to reach the Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, no later than 11.00 a.m. (Irish time) on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. However, persons holding interests in Ordinary Shares through the EB System or CREST will also need to comply with any additional voting deadlines imposed by their respective service offerings, as well as any additional deadlines set by their custodians, stockbrokers or other intermediaries. Again, all persons affected are recommended to consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity.

I enclose for your attention Notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting (AGM). I invite you to join me on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at The InterContinental Hotel, Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4, D04 A9K8 at 11.00 am (Irish time), with options to attend in-person or listen live by telephone. You will find the Notice convening the AGM on pages 8 to 11 of this document (the "Notice of the AGM").
Shareholder participation and engagement remains important to us. As such, Shareholders can avail of the option to listen live to the AGM by telephone on the following numbers:
| Ireland: | 01 582 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK Direct: | +44 800 260 6471 |
| International Direct: | +44 20 3481 4246 |
| Passcode: | 6513810# |
It will not be possible to vote or ask questions via telephone. Therefore, Shareholders who choose this option are encouraged to submit their proxy voting instructions in advance of the AGM to ensure that they can vote and be represented at the AGM. Details on proxy voting are outlined in the notes to the Notice of the AGM.
Shareholders may also submit questions in advance of the AGM by email to [email protected] or in writing to the Group Secretary, Bank of Ireland Group PLC, Baggot Plaza, 27 - 33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4, D04 VX58. We will respond in writing directly to Shareholders and post a summary of the questions and responses on our website. We will also provide a verbal summary during the AGM.
The resolutions proposed at the AGM, along with my comments on the resolutions, are enclosed on pages 4 to 7 of this document and in the Notice of the AGM.
Resolution 1 proposes, following a review of the Company's affairs, to receive and consider the Company's Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, together with the Report of the Directors and the Auditor's Report.
Resolution 2 proposes to declare a final dividend of 28.00 cents per Ordinary Share for the year ended 31 December 2024, payable to Shareholders on the register of members at 5:00 p.m. (Irish time) on 2 May 2025 and to be paid on 10 June 2025.
Resolutions 3(a) to 3(i), which are proposed as separate resolutions, relate to the re-election of Directors.
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, which recommends the annual re-election of Directors, all eligible Directors are retiring at the AGM.
The Company announced Eileen Fitzpatrick's retirement on 11 April 2025. The following Directors, being eligible, are offering themselves for re-election: Akshaya Bhargava, Giles Andrews, Ian Buchanan, Richard Goulding, Michele Greene, Myles O'Grady, Steve Pateman, Mark Spain and Margaret Sweeney.
The performance of the Board is reviewed annually and, following evaluation, the Board has concluded that each Director standing for re-election continues to make a valued contribution to the deliberations of the Board, continues to be effective and demonstrates continued commitment to their role. A summary of the skills and experience brought by each Director to the Board is set out in the individual biographies available on the Company's website, www.bankofireland.com and at pages 187 to 189 of the 2024 Annual Report.
Resolution 4 proposes the continuation in office of KPMG as statutory auditor of the Company until the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company. This is an advisory non-binding resolution which is put to Shareholders as a matter of good corporate governance practice. In September 2024, the Board appointed KPMG to carry out the assurance of the Group's 2024 sustainability statement under Part 28 of the Companies Act 2014, which implements the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Our sustainability statement and the assurance report thereon is set out in the 2024 Annual Report. KPMG's appointment as statutory auditor of the Company under Resolution 4 includes its role as assurer of the Company's consolidated sustainability reporting.
Resolution 5 proposes to authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the statutory auditor for the 2025 financial year.
The remuneration of the statutory auditor will also include remuneration in respect of its role as assurer of the Company's consolidated sustainability reporting.
Resolution 6 proposes to authorise the calling of an Extraordinary General Meeting on 14 days' notice for the passing of an ordinary resolution. A similar resolution was passed at the 2024 AGM and the additional flexibility afforded by this authority will only be used in limited and time sensitive circumstances where it would be to the advantage of Shareholders as a whole.
Resolution 7 proposes, as a non-binding advisory resolution, that Shareholders receive and consider the 2024 Report on Directors' Remuneration, as set out at pages 231 to 245 of the 2024 Annual Report.
Resolution 8 proposes, as a non-binding advisory resolution, that Shareholders receive and consider the 2025 Directors' Remuneration Policy, as set out in the 2024 Annual Report. The Companies Act 2014, as amended, provides that in-scope PLCs must submit their remuneration policy to a shareholder vote at least once every four years and otherwise when a material change to the approved policy is proposed. The current Directors' Remuneration Policy was last approved at the 2023 AGM and reflected changes to remuneration restrictions announced in November 2022. The revised policy is designed to support the Group with retaining and attracting executive director talent capable of delivering on its strategy.
Resolution 9 is a special resolution proposing to authorise the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, to make market purchases of the Company's own Ordinary Shares up to a maximum of 98,695,536 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 10% of issued Ordinary Shares as at 14 April 2025, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this document (the "Latest Practicable Date").
Such authority would expire on the earlier of the AGM to be held in 2026 or 22 August 2026. Shares purchased by the Company may be cancelled or held in treasury pending cancellation or re-issue.
As stated in the Company's 2024 Annual Results issued on 24 February 2025, the Company intends to implement a share buyback programme of €590 million, and this programme commenced on 25 February 2025. If Shareholders fail to approve Resolution 9 at the AGM, our existing authority to repurchase shares will expire at the conclusion of the AGM and we will be unable to continue to implement the share buyback programme following the AGM.
Any share purchases by the Company would be made only at a price level that the Directors consider to be in the best interest of Shareholders generally, having regard for the Company's overall financial position and regulatory capital obligations and requirements. In addition, the authority being sought will provide that the minimum price which may be paid for such Shares shall not be less than the nominal value of the Shares and the maximum price shall be the higher of 105% of the average market price of such Ordinary Shares and the amount stipulated by Article 3(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.
Resolution 10 is proposed in accordance with Investment Association guidelines and proposes to authorise the Directors to issue new Ordinary Shares up to a maximum of 325,695,272 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 33% of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date, subject to statutory pre-emption rights where applicable. Resolution 10 is proposed as an ordinary resolution. There are currently no plans to issue any Ordinary Shares on foot of this authorisation. Such authority would expire on the earlier of the AGM to be held in 2026 or 22 August 2026.
Resolution 11, which is proposed as a special resolution, is to authorise the Directors to allot Ordinary Shares for cash, without offering them first to the other Ordinary Shareholders, in accordance with the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles, which allow for an authority to issue shares for cash otherwise than in connection with a pre-emptive offer of 5% of the issued share capital, with a further 5% authority, supported in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment.
The authority in Resolution 11 is limited to an allotment pursuant to a rights issue authorised under Resolution 10 and up to 49,347,768 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date, otherwise than in connection with an offer to Ordinary Shareholders in accordance with their pre-emption rights.
Resolution 12, which is proposed as a special resolution, authorises the disapplication of pre-emption rights in respect of an additional 49,347,768 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date) for the purposes of financing a transaction (or refinancing within twelve months of the transaction) which the Directors determine to be an acquisition or other capital investment contemplated by the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles (the "PEG Principles").
The authorities set out under Resolutions 11 and 12 would expire on the earlier of the AGM in 2026 or 22 August 2026. There are currently no plans to issue any Ordinary Shares on foot of these authorisations.
The PEG Principles, as updated on 4 November 2022, allow for an authority to issue shares for cash otherwise than in connection with a pre-emptive offer of approximately 10% of the issued share capital, with a further 10% authority supported in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment and then an additional 2% in each case to be used only for the purposes of a "follow-on offer" to existing holders of securities not allocated shares under an issue made under either of the two abovementioned share issuances.
In respect of the authorities being sought under Resolutions 11 and 12, the Directors acknowledge the provisions of the most recent PEG Principles published in November 2022. Resolutions 11 and 12 reflect the template resolutions and the Directors confirm that the Company will follow the principles set out in the PEG Principles. However, the Board has retained the previous limits of 5% of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) in Resolutions 11 and 12, rather than the increased limit of 10% set out in the most recent PEG Principles, as the Directors believe that provides sufficient flexibility to the Company at this time.
Resolutions 13 and 14 propose to renew the Directors authority to issue Additional Tier 1 Contingent Equity Conversion Notes ("AT1 ECNs") and to allot Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion or exchange of AT1 ECNs without first offering them to existing Shareholders up to an aggregate of 148,043,305 Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each, which approximates to 15% of the issued Ordinary Shares of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date.
Resolution 13 authorises the issue of AT1 ECNs and resulting Ordinary Shares and is proposed as an ordinary resolution. Resolution 14 authorises the disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights in respect of such issuances and is proposed as a special resolution.
The authority sought in Resolutions 13 and 14, which is in addition and separate to the authorities sought in Resolutions 10, 11 and 12, is consistent with the authority sought at the AGM in 2024. Such authority would expire on the earlier of the date of the AGM in 2026 or 22 August 2026.
Detailed instructions on appointing a proxy and voting are set out on pages 12 to 14 of this document. The process to be followed will depend on the manner in which a Shareholder holds their Ordinary Shares. Please note, it is recommended that you consult with your stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity for further information on the processes and timelines for submitting proxy votes for the AGM through the EB System and CREST.
Shareholders should also review the detailed instructions on how to listen live to the AGM via telephone and how to raise questions in advance of the AGM, which are set out on pages 3 and 12 to 15 of this document.
The Board of Directors believes that the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole and, therefore, unanimously recommends that you vote in favour of each of the resolutions, as they intend to do so themselves in respect of all of the 113,402 Ordinary Shares held or beneficially owned by them.
Pursuant to the requirements of Irish company law, which took effect on 1 January 2025 (the "Effective Date") share certificates for the Company will no longer be issued or valid as evidence of title to its shares, and entries on the register of members of the Company have been replaced by book-entry records ("Dematerialisation"). This change impacts all holders of Irish securities in public limited companies whose shares are listed on an EU market in certificated (i.e. paper) form, including the Company. All existing paper share certificates which have been issued to shareholders have ceased to have legal effect for the purposes of evidence of ownership and these certificates will be replaced with an electronic form of holding shares, which is maintained by our registrar, Computershare.
Whilst paper certificates are no longer valid, please be assured that your shareholding is otherwise unchanged but is instead held electronically. Shareholders do not need to take any action to effect Dematerialisation or on account of it, which occurred automatically on the Effective Date.
Further information in relation to Dematerialisation is available on our website in the letter entitled "Update on Dematerialisation of Irish Securities" and the FAQ document.
Shareholders who previously held their shares in certificated form and who wish to receive alternative evidence of their shareholding should contact Computershare.
In the interests of protecting the environment and promoting greater efficiency, I would ask you to consider electing, through our Registrar at www.computershare.com/ie/ecomms, to receive your Shareholder documentation online as soon as it is published on our website.
Shareholders who have already consented or have been deemed to consent to receiving the Annual Report and other Shareholder communications electronically will receive notice of all General Meetings electronically.
Shareholders are encouraged to monitor the Company's website, www.bankofireland.com/investor, for any update announcements regarding the AGM.
If you wish to attend the AGM, please detach your Attendance Card from your Form of Proxy and bring it with you to the meeting.
Yours faithfully,
Akshaya Bhargava Chairman
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of Bank of Ireland Group PLC (the "Company") will be held on Thursday, 22 May 2025, at 11.00 a.m. (Irish time) in The InterContinental Hotel, Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4, D04 A9K8 for the following purposes:
"THAT an Extraordinary General Meeting (other than an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the passing of a special resolution) may be called by not less than 14 clear days' notice in writing in accordance with Article 50(b) of the Company's Articles of Association."
"To receive and consider the 2024 Directors' Report on Remuneration, as set out in the 2024 Annual Report."
"To receive and consider the 2025 Directors' Remuneration Policy, as set out in the 2024 Annual Report."
"THAT the Company and/or any subsidiary (as such expression is defined by Section 7 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) of the Company be generally authorised to make purchases on a securities market (within the meaning of Section 1072 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended), of Ordinary Shares of the Company having a nominal value of €1.00 each on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Directors or, as the case may be, the directors of such subsidiary, may from time to time determine but subject, however, to the provisions of the Companies Act 2014, as amended, and to the following restrictions and provisions:
any number of Ordinary Shares on the trading venue where the purchase pursuant to the authority conferred by this Resolution will be carried out.
If the means of providing the foregoing information as to dealings and prices by reference to which the maximum price is to be determined is altered or is replaced by some other means, then a maximum price shall be determined on the basis of the equivalent information published by the relevant authority in relation to dealings on Euronext Dublin or its equivalent.
This Resolution shall take effect and the authorities hereby conferred shall be effective immediately and shall expire at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026 or on 22 August 2026, whichever is earlier, unless previously varied, revoked or renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1074 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended. The Company or any such subsidiary may before such expiry enter into a contract for the purchase of Ordinary Shares which would or might be wholly or partly executed after such expiry and may complete any such contract as if the authorities conferred hereby had not expired."
''THAT the Directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot and issue relevant securities (within the meaning of Section 1021 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) of the Company up to an aggregate of 325,695,272 Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each, representing approximately 33% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date, provided that this authority shall expire at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026 or on 22 August 2026, whichever is earlier, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be issued and allotted after such expiry, and the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired."
"THAT, if Resolution 10 is approved, the Directors be and are hereby generally authorised, as is referred to in Article 9(e) of the Articles of Association of the Company, and in addition to the authority under Resolution 13, to allot and issue equity securities (within the meaning of Section 1023(1) of the Companies Act 2014, as amended), together with all treasury shares (as defined in Section 1078 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) re-issued while this authority remains operable, for cash pursuant to the authority conferred on the Directors by Resolution 10 as if Section 1022(1) of the Companies Act 2014, as amended, did not apply provided that this power shall be limited to:
provided that this authority shall expire at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026 or 22 August 2026, whichever is earlier, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require such securities to be issued and allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot such securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired."
"THAT if Resolution 10 is approved, the Directors be and are hereby authorised, in addition to any authority granted under Resolution 11, to issue and allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 1023 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) for cash together with all treasury shares (as defined in Section 1078 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) re-issued while this authority remains operable, for cash under the authority given by that Resolution as if Section 1022(1) of the Companies Act 2014 did not apply to any such issue or allotment, such authority to be:
provided that this authority will expire at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026 or 22 August 2026, whichever is earlier, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement, which would, or might, require such securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
"THAT in addition and separate to the authority granted by Resolution 10, the Directors be and are hereby generally empowered pursuant to Section 1021 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended, to issue, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of:
(a) Additional Tier 1 contingent equity conversion notes that automatically convert into or are exchanged for Ordinary Shares in the Company in prescribed circumstances ("AT1 ECNs") where the Directors consider that such issuance of AT1 ECNs would be desirable in connection with, or for the purposes of, complying with or maintaining compliance with the regulatory capital requirements or targets applicable to the Company and/ or the Company and its subsidiaries from time to time; and
"THAT, if Resolution 13 is approved, and in addition and separate to the authorities granted by Resolutions 10, 11, and 12, the Directors be and are hereby generally empowered, as is referred to in Article 9(e) of the Articles of Association of the Company, to issue, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of equity securities (within the meaning of Section 1023(1) of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) or a right to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, Ordinary Shares, including AT1 ECNs (as defined in Resolution 13) and any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the conversion or exchange of AT1 ECNs of the Company for cash pursuant to the authority conferred on the Directors by Resolution 13 above as if Section 1022(1) of the Companies Act 2014, as amended, did not apply up to a maximum aggregate amount provided for in paragraph (b)(i) of Resolution 13, provided that this authority shall expire at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026 or 22 August 2026, whichever is earlier, but so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements before the authority expires which would or might require AT1 ECNs or Ordinary Shares to be issued or allotted or rights to subscribe or convert or exchange any security into Ordinary Shares to be granted after the authority expires and the Directors may allot shares or grant such rights under any such offer as if the authority had not expired."
By Order of the Board Sarah McLaughlin, Group Secretary
Bank of Ireland Group PLC Baggot Plaza 27-33 Upper Baggot Street Dublin 4 D04 VX58
| Ireland: | 01 582 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK Direct: | +44 800 260 6471 |
| International Direct: | +44 20 3481 4246 |
| Passcode: | 6513810# |
It will not be possible for Shareholders to vote during the AGM by telephone. In order to vote please follow the steps set out below to appoint a proxy in advance of the AGM.
The information set out in this document in relation to voting procedures for persons who hold their interests in Ordinary Shares as Belgian law rights through the EB System or as CDIs through CREST is for guidance only and such persons should consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity for information on the processes and timelines for submitting proxies and voting instructions for the AGM through the respective systems.
For voting services offered by custodians holding Irish corporate securities directly with Euroclear Bank, please contact your custodian.
In respect of CDI Holders, Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited ("EUI"), the operator of the CREST system, has arranged for voting instructions relating to CDIs held in CREST to be received via Broadridge. Further details on this service are set out on the "All you need to know about SRD II in Euroclear UK & Ireland" webpage of the Euroclear Bank website, www.euroclear.com, which is accessible to CREST participants (see Section CREST International Service – Proxy voting).
CDI Holders should pay close attention to any notices specifically relating to this AGM and are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with Broadridge's arrangements, including the voting deadlines and procedures and to take any further actions required by Broadridge before they can avail of the Broadridge voting service as soon as possible.
Pursuant to Section 1107 of the Companies Act 2014, Shareholders have a right to ask questions related to items on the AGM agenda and to have such questions answered by the Company subject to any reasonable measures the Company may take to ensure the identification of Shareholders. An answer is not required if:
(a) an answer has already been given on the Company's website in the form of a 'Q&A'; or

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