Compare Mortgage Rates from Allied Irish Bank (AIB) Against the Market

Important Distinction: AIB operates differently depending on where you are in the UK.

• In Northern Ireland: It trades as AIB (NI) (formerly First Trust Bank) and is an active mortgage lender for new and existing customers.

• In England, Scotland and Wales: It trades as Allied Irish Bank (GB). It has largely withdrawn from the personal mortgage market for new applicants, focusing instead on corporate and business banking.

Whether you’re looking to compare Allied Irish mortgages with other lenders in Northern Ireland, or across the broader UK, you can do so for free using our mortgage comparison tool below:

About AIB Group (UK)

AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. is a subsidiary of Allied Irish Banks, one of Ireland's "Big Four" commercial banks.

AIB (NI): Formerly known as First Trust Bank, the brand was renamed to AIB in 2020 to align with its parent company. It remains a major high-street bank in Northern Ireland with a full range of personal banking and mortgage services.

Allied Irish Bank (GB): Historically a niche provider of business and personal banking in Great Britain, it has restructured in recent years to focus on corporate banking (e.g., renewables, healthcare, manufacturing). It does not typically offer new residential mortgages to the general public in GB.

AIB (NI) Mortgage Products (Northern Ireland Only)

AIB (NI) offers a competitive range of mortgage products for borrowers in Northern Ireland.

• First-Time Buyer Mortgages: Designed to help people get on the property ladder, often featuring incentives like free standard valuations

• Green Mortgages: A specialist product for energy-efficient homes. If the property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B, borrowers can access a lower "Green" interest rate

• Self-Build Mortgages: AIB (NI) is one of the few mainstream lenders with a dedicated product for borrowers building their own home

• Remortgage: For those moving their mortgage from another lender to AIB (NI). They often offer "cashback" incentives to cover legal costs

• Co-Ownership: They support the Northern Ireland Co-Ownership scheme, which helps people buy a home who cannot afford 100% of the mortgage upfront

Allied Irish Bank (GB) – Existing Customers

If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales and already have a mortgage with Allied Irish Bank (GB), you are considered an existing customer.

• New Borrowing: You cannot generally apply for a new mortgage loan

• Product Transfers: If your current fixed-rate deal is ending, AIB (GB) typically allows you to switch to a new product (rate) from their internal "retention" range to avoid reverting to the higher Standard Variable Rate (SVR)

• Porting: You may be able to "port" (move) your existing mortgage balance to a new property, subject to strict criteria and affordability checks. You should contact them directly to discuss this

Pros and Cons of AIB (NI) Mortgages

For borrowers in Northern Ireland, here is a balanced overview.

Pros:

• Self-Build Expertise: They offer self-build projects, a market many high-street banks avoid

• Green Incentives: Their Green Mortgage rates reward borrowers for buying or building energy-efficient homes

• No Application Fees: Many of their standard mortgage products come with no booking or application fees

• Local Presence: With a network of branches and business centres across Northern Ireland, they offer face-to-face support that digital-only lenders cannot

Cons:

• Geographic Restriction: These products are strictly for properties in Northern Ireland

• Digital Capabilities: While improved, their digital app and online mortgage management tools are sometimes rated lower than those of major UK fintech-forward banks

• Conservative Lending: As a traditional bank, their lending criteria (affordability and credit scoring) can be stricter than specialist lenders

Customer Service and Reviews

AIB (NI) generally performs well in local "service quality" surveys in Northern Ireland, often competing closely with Danske Bank and Ulster Bank. Customers appreciate the local branch access.

Allied Irish Bank (GB) has a different reputation profile. Since restructuring to focus on corporate clients, personal customers sometimes report that the service for legacy mortgage accounts is functional but basic, with limited online management options compared to modern standards.

How to Apply

For Northern Ireland Residents (AIB NI):

1. Online/Phone: You can start your application via the AIB (NI) website or by calling their mortgage team

2. Branch: You can book an appointment at a local branch to speak with a mortgage advisor face-to-face

3. Intermediary: AIB (NI) has recently returned to the mortgage broker market in Northern Ireland, meaning you can access their products through selected independent mortgage advisers. This is recommended for those with complex requirements or if you would like to ensure you've fully compared their deals with other available lenders.

For Great Britain Residents (AIB GB):

• Existing Customers: To switch your rate, you should contact the bank's mortgage service team directly by phone.

• New Customers: You cannot apply with this lender. However, whether you’re looking to speak to Allied Irish Bank about buying in Northern Ireland, or are looking for a mortgage elsewhere in the UK, we can help. Simply click get started to speak to one of our experienced brokers.