Central Bank of Ireland outlines how the modernised Consumer Protection Code supports financial literacy and fraud safeguards

In remarks at the National Financial Literacy Strategy Stakeholder Forum, Deputy Governor Colm Kincaid set out how the Central Bank of Ireland sees its consumer and investor protection mandate as supporting Ireland’s financial literacy objectives. He pointed to the modernised Consumer Protection Code as a core tool, framing it as a way to help consumers understand financial products and risks and make more informed decisions. The speech highlighted several code requirements that are intended to support that outcome. Firms must provide customer information in plain and accessible language, ensure digital services are easy to use and properly tested, make mortgage switching easier, give consumers time to consider online credit such as buy now pay later, and counter frauds and scams while supporting affected consumers. Kincaid also pointed to the Central Bank’s own consumer-facing work through its Consumer Hub, plain-language explainers, videos, and recent information campaigns on scams, crypto and buy now pay later. He said the Central Bank will continue in 2026 and beyond to supervise implementation of the modernised code and hold regulated firms to account for how they treat customers, with the stated aim of improving consumer protection, financial literacy and financial wellbeing.