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Bank of Ireland GP

Pre-Annual General Meeting Information Apr 17, 2025

1979_rns_2025-04-17_3a9e61c0-35ed-4fa0-9db7-818750da9ca2.pdf

Pre-Annual General Meeting Information

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Bank of Ireland Group PLC Notice of Annual General Meeting

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.

Chairman's letter

Dear Shareholder,

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").

Meeting Arrangements

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.

Ordinary Business

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.

Special Business

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.

Shareholder Information

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.

Recommendation

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.

Dematerialisation Update

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.

Shareholder Communications

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 of the Annual General Meeting

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:

Ordinary Business

    1. 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.
    1. That the final dividend recommended by the Directors of 28.00 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2024, be declared payable on the Ordinary Shares to all members on the register of members at 5:00 pm (Irish time) on 2 May 2025 and that such dividend be paid on 10 June 2025.
    1. To re-elect the following Directors to the Board, by separate resolution:
    2. (a) Akshaya Bhargava
    3. (b) Giles Andrews
    4. (c) Ian Buchanan
    5. (d) Richard Goulding
    6. (e) Michele Greene
    7. (f) Myles O'Grady
    8. (g) Steve Pateman
    9. (h) Mark Spain
    10. (i) Margaret Sweeney
    1. To consider the continuation in office of KPMG as statutory auditor of the Company until the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company.
    1. To authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the statutory auditor for the 2025 financial year.
    1. To consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:

"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."

Special Business

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as a non-binding, advisory ordinary resolution:

"To receive and consider the 2024 Directors' Report on Remuneration, as set out in the 2024 Annual Report."

  1. To consider and, if thought fit pass the following, as a non-binding advisory ordinary resolution;

"To receive and consider the 2025 Directors' Remuneration Policy, as set out in the 2024 Annual Report."

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:

"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:

  • (i) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be acquired pursuant to the terms of this Resolution shall, subject to the proviso hereinafter set out, not exceed 98,695,536 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 10% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) as at 14 April 2025 (the "Latest Practicable Date");
  • (ii) the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for any Ordinary Share to be purchased shall be the nominal value thereof;
  • (iii) the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for any Ordinary Share to be purchased shall be the higher of:
  • (A) 5% above the average of the closing quotation prices of such Ordinary Shares as published in the Daily Official List of Euronext Dublin (formerly known as the Irish Stock Exchange) (or any successor publication thereto) for the five business days immediately preceding the day of purchase, and, in respect of any business day on which there shall be no dealing in such Ordinary Shares on Euronext Dublin, the price which is equal to the midpoint between the high and low market guide prices in respect of such Ordinary Shares for that business day, or if there shall be only one such market guide price so published, the market guide price so published; such prices shall be as published in the Daily Official List of Euronext Dublin (or any successor publication thereto); and
  • (B) the amount stipulated by Article 3(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and any corresponding provision of any replacement legislation, being the value of an Ordinary Share calculated on the basis of the higher of the price quoted for:
  • (i) the last independent trade of; and
  • (ii) the highest current independent bid or offer for;

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."

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:

''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."

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:

"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:

  • (a) the allotment of equity securities in connection with any rights issue or other pre-emptive issue in favour of Ordinary Shareholders (other than those holders with registered addresses outside the State to whom an offer would, in the opinion of the Directors, be impractical or unlawful in any jurisdiction) on the register of members at such record date as the Directors may determine where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of such Ordinary Shareholders are proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of Ordinary Shares held by them and subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient to deal with regulatory requirements, legal or practical problems in respect of overseas Shareholders, or Shareholders subject to legal restrictions or sanctions, fractional elements or otherwise; and
  • (b) the allotment of equity securities for cash (otherwise than under paragraph (a) above) together with all treasury shares (as defined in Section 1078 of the Companies Act 2014, as amended) re-issued while this authority remains operable shall not exceed 49,347,768 Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each (representing approximately 5% of the 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 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."

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:

"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:

  • (i) limited to the allotment of equity securities up to 49,347,768 Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each (representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date), and
  • (ii) used only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used within twelve months after the original transaction) a transaction which the Directors determine to be an acquisition or other capital investment of a kind contemplated by the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Preemption Rights most recently published by the Pre-emption Group prior to the date of this notice,

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.

  1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:

"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

  • (b) Ordinary Shares pursuant to the conversion or exchange of AT1 ECNs, or to agree to do any of the foregoing acts, PROVIDED THAT the power conferred by this Resolution shall:
  • (i) be limited to the issue, allotment, grant of options over or other disposal of Ordinary Shares up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of 148,043,305 Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each and of AT1 ECNs convertible or exchangeable into Ordinary Shares up to such maximum aggregate nominal amount;
  • (ii) expire on 22 August 2026 or at the close of business on the date of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2026, whichever is the 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 for or to 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."
    1. To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:

"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

Notes

Entitlement to attend and vote

    1. Shareholders shall be entitled to participate and/or vote at the AGM where they are holders of fully paid shares in the Company and are registered on the Company's register of members at:
    2. 6:00 p.m. (Irish time) on Sunday 18 May 2025 (being the record date specified by the Company for eligibility for voting); or
    3. if the AGM is adjourned, close of business on the day four days prior to the adjourned AGM.

Website giving information regarding the AGM

  1. This Notice of the AGM, details of the total number of shares and voting rights at the date of giving this notice, the documents to be submitted to the AGM, copies of any resolutions and copies of the forms to be used to vote by proxy are available on the Company's website at: www.bankofireland.com/investor.

Listening live to the AGM

  1. You can listen live to the proceedings at 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 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.

Appointment of Proxies

    1. A Shareholder who is entitled to attend, speak, ask questions and vote at the AGM is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend, speak, ask questions and vote instead of him/her. A Shareholder may appoint more than one proxy to attend, speak, ask questions and vote at the AGM in respect of shares held in different securities accounts. A Shareholder acting as an intermediary on behalf of one or more clients may grant a proxy to each of its clients or their nominees provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares held by that Shareholder. A proxy need not be a Shareholder of the Company. If you wish to appoint more than one proxy then please contact the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, on +353 1 2475414 or via email at [email protected]. Holders of CDIs and/or investors who hold their interests in Ordinary Shares through a participant account in the EB System wishing to attend, speak or ask questions at the AGM must arrange to have themselves appointed as their own proxy as explained in notes 12 to 14 overleaf.
    1. A Form of Proxy for use by Shareholders is enclosed with this Notice of the AGM (or is otherwise being delivered to Shareholders).
    1. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, including by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other registered holder(s) and, for this purpose, seniority will be determined by the order in which the names appear on the register of members.

Exercising your right to vote

    1. As a Shareholder, you have several ways to exercise your right to vote, depending on the manner in which you hold your Ordinary Shares:
    2. (a) in the case of Shareholders who are registered members
  • by attending the AGM in person; or
  • by appointing (either electronically or by returning a completed Form of Proxy) the Chairman of the AGM or another person as a proxy to attend the AGM and to vote on your behalf.
    • (b) in the case of CDI Holders:
  • by sending electronic voting instructions to Euroclear Bank via Broadridge Financial Solutions Limited ("Broadridge"), a third party service provider; or
  • by appointing a proxy via the Broadridge Global Proxy Voting Service to attend and vote at the meeting; and
    • (c) in the case of EB Participants:
  • by sending electronic voting instructions to Euroclear Bank via SWIFT or to EasyWay Corporate Actions; or
  • by sending a proxy voting instruction to Euroclear Bank to appoint a third party (other than Euroclear Nominees Limited (i.e. the nominee of Euroclear Bank) ("Euroclear Nominees") or the Chairman of the AGM to attend and vote at the meeting.

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.

Proxy Voting by Registered Holders

    1. Shareholders who are registered members and who wish to appoint a proxy should complete the Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon. To be valid, a Form of Proxy and any power or other authority under which it is executed (or a duly certified copy of any such power or authority) must be lodged with the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, 3100 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, D24 AK82, Ireland not later than 48 hours before the AGM (or in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the AGM at least 48 hours before the time appointed for the taking of a poll), or in the case of an adjourned AGM, by the commencement of the adjourned AGM (or in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the adjourned AGM, by the commencement of the taking of the poll).
    1. Shareholders who are registered members can appoint a proxy and give voting instructions electronically by logging on to the website of the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited at www.eproxyappointment.com. Shareholders will need their 5-digit PIN Number, Shareholder Reference Number and Control Number, which you will receive on your Form of Proxy or via email if you have elected to receive Shareholder communications electronically.
    1. For Shareholders whose name appears on the register of members of the Company, the appointment of a proxy will not preclude that Shareholder from attending and voting in person at the AGM.

Proxy voting by CDI Holders

  1. 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).

    1. If you are a CDI Holder you will be required to use the EUI proxy voting service facilitated by the Broadridge Global Proxy Voting service in order to receive meeting announcements and send back voting instructions, as required. To facilitate client set up, if you hold CDIs and wish to participate in the proxy voting service, you will need to complete a Meetings and Voting Client Set-up Form (CRT408), a copy of which is available on the Euroclear Bank website, www.euroclear.com, which is accessible to CREST participants. Completed application forms should be returned to EUI by an authorised signatory with another relevant authorised signatory copied in for verification purposes using the following email address: [email protected].
    1. Fully completed and returned application forms will be shared with Broadridge by EUI. This will enable Broadridge to contact you and share further detailed information on the service offering and initiate the process for granting your access to the Broadridge platform.
    1. Once CDI Holders have access to the Broadridge platform, they can complete and submit proxy appointments (including voting instructions) electronically. Broadridge will process and deliver proxy voting instructions received from CDI Holders by the Broadridge voting deadline date to Euroclear Bank, by its cut-off and to agreed market requirements. Alternatively, a CDI Holder can send a third party proxy voting instruction through the Broadridge platform in order to appoint a third party (who may be a corporate representative or the CDI Holder themselves) to attend and vote at the meeting the number of ordinary shares specified in the proxy instruction (subject to the Broadridge voting deadline). There is no facility to offer a letter of representation/appoint a corporate representative other than through the submission of third party proxy appointment instructions through Broadridge.
    1. Persons holding through the CREST system (via a holding of CDIs) will also need to comply with any additional voting deadlines imposed by their respective custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary. All persons affected are recommended to consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity.

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.

Proxy voting by EB Participants

  1. Holders of interests in Ordinary Shares held through the EB system (other than as CDIs) are advised to consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity for further information on the processes and timelines for submitting proxy appointments or voting instructions for the AGM. Persons holding interests in Ordinary Shares through the EB System will need to comply with any voting deadlines imposed by the EB System, as well as any additional deadlines set by their custodians, stockbrokers or other intermediaries. All such persons are recommended to consult with their custodian, stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity.

Voting by Corporate Representatives

  1. Any corporation sole or body corporate which is a registered member may, by a document executed by or on behalf of such corporation sole or resolution of its Directors or other governing body of such body corporate, authorise such individual as it thinks fit to act as its representative in connection with the AGM. Any individual so authorised shall not be entitled to appoint a proxy but shall otherwise be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation sole or body corporate which they represent as that representative could exercise if they were an individual member of the Company present in person. For EB Participants and CDI Holders there is no facility to offer a letter of representation/ appoint a corporate representative other than through the submission of third party proxy appointment instructions through the EB System or Broadridge as described at notes 12 to 14.

Submission of questions

  1. 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:

  2. (a) an answer has already been given on the Company's website in the form of a 'Q&A'; or

  3. (b) it would interfere unduly with the meeting or the confidentiality or business interests of the Company; or
  4. (c) it appears to the Chairman of the AGM that it is undesirable in the interests of good order of the meeting that the question be answered.
    1. If you wish to submit a question in advance of the AGM, please send your question(s) in writing together with evidence of your shareholding by email to [email protected] or send it in writing to the Group Secretary, Bank of Ireland Group PLC, Baggot Plaza, 27 – 33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4, D04 VX58, Ireland in advance of the AGM.

Shareholders' right to table draft resolutions

    1. Shareholders holding 3% or more of the Ordinary Shares may table a draft resolution for an item on the agenda. In order to exercise this right, the full text of the draft resolution and the agenda item to which it relates (or, if supporting a draft resolution tabled by another Shareholder, clearly identifying the draft resolution and agenda item which is being supported) must be received by the Group Secretary at Bank of Ireland Group PLC, Baggot Plaza, 27-33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4, D04 VX58 or by email to agmquestions@boi. com no later than 42 days in advance of the AGM. Furthermore, Shareholders are reminded that there are provisions in company law which impose other conditions on the right of Shareholders to propose resolutions at any General Meeting of the Company.
    1. Shareholders holding 3% or more of the Ordinary Shares may put an item on the agenda of the AGM. In order to exercise this right, written details of the item the Shareholders wish to have included in the AGM agenda together with a written explanation as to why the item is to be included in the agenda or a draft resolution to be adopted at the AGM must be received by the Group Secretary no later than 42 days in advance of the AGM.

Voting on a Poll

  1. Where a poll is taken at the AGM, a Shareholder holding more than one share need not use all his/her votes or cast his/her votes in the same way.

Outstanding Share Options

  1. There are no outstanding share options in issue by the Company.

Further information

    1. The ISIN for the Company's Ordinary Shares is IE00BD1RP616.
    1. The unique identifier code of the AGM, for the purposes of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1212 of 3 September 2018, will be made available at www.bankofireland.com/investor once issued.

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