At least six fintechs have said over the past five months that they will expand their AI and fintech operations in Ireland. 

In fact, more than 430 companies have chosen to make Ireland their gateway to Europe in the past decade, including CRM service provider Zendesk and $371 billion State Street Bank.

According to Ireland IDA’s website US-based fintechs that recently expanded operations to the Emerald Isle include: 

• Equifax launched its International AI Innovation Lab in September. 

• New York-based financial services firm Centralis announced in September that it is doubling operations. 

• Data and AI company EXL launched a dedicated R&D lab in Dublin in August to expand its AI and data solutions platform. 

• Gong.io, an AI-driven revenue management company, announced in August that it is expanding operations on the heels of rising AI adoption. 

• PayPal established an AI and fraud data science center in Dublin in July. 

• FIS announced plans in May to expand operations over the next two years. 

Rowan McGrath, senior vice president, head of international at EXL, which builds custom AI models for clients, told FinAi News that the decision to expand operations in Dublin was driven by: 

• Access to a diverse talent pool;  

• A supportive business environment; and  

• Ireland’s reputation as a hub for innovation and technology. 

“Overall, EXL’s Dublin operation is far more than just new office space — it’s a multiplier for Irish AI capability, a bridge between research and industry, and a tangible anchor in Europe’s growing tech innovation landscape,” McGrath said. 

Ireland is an attractive place to set up shop for financial services companies, Mairead Fanning, head of financial services on the U.S. West Coast for government agency Industrial Development Authority of Ireland, told FinAi News. 

Ireland’s corporate tax rate, for example, is 12.5% compared to 25% in the United Kingdom, according to the countries’ government website. 

“We are becoming the gateway to Europe,” she said, adding that Ireland offers: 

• Tax incentives; 

• Infrastructure; 

• Strong talent pool; and 

• Compliance assistance. 

Close to 70% of companies moving to Ireland to access the EU market are financial services, fintech, cloud and tech companies, Fanning said, adding that OpenAI, Anthropic and Crusoe have chosen Ireland in recent years as the base for their European expansions. 

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