Ireland's mortgage market delivered its strongest August performance in 15 years, a genuinely encouraging signal for financial advisory firms guiding property and personal finance clients. Banking and Payments Federation Ireland figures show more than 5,000 mortgages were approved in August, valued at almost €1.7 billion, with volumes up 12% and values up 15% year on year. For accountancy firms advising first time buyers and property sector clients, this resilience offers a genuinely constructive backdrop heading into the final months of the year.

This strength deserves to be read as evidence of underlying resilience rather than simply a seasonal blip. BPFI chief executive Brian Hayes noted that while activity eased slightly from July's peak, this reflects the normal seasonal pattern typically seen between May and July each year. The figures point to three priorities for financial advisory practices: the strength of the headline numbers, the specific opportunity around first time buyers, and what the annualised trend signals for the months still ahead.

The headline figures are genuinely striking in their own right. More than 5,000 property loans were approved during August, with the value of approvals rising 15.3% year on year even as it fell 17.6% on the previous month, consistent with the expected seasonal pattern. Hayes described the Irish housing market as remarkably resilient throughout 2026 despite a challenging international backdrop, a message worth sharing directly with cautious clients.

First time buyers remain the clear driver of activity, accounting for almost 60% of all approvals during the month. The average first time buyer was approved for around €333,000, up roughly 2% year on year. For tax specialists, this sustained first time buyer demand keeps schemes like Help to Buy and mortgage interest relief firmly relevant to ongoing client conversations.

The annualised trend adds further reassurance for the sector as a whole. There were 55,854 mortgage approvals in the twelve months to August, indicating what Hayes called a healthy base for drawdowns through the remainder of the year. For corporate finance teams supporting construction and homebuilding clients, this pipeline strength offers a genuinely useful planning anchor for the coming quarters.

Firms can act on this backdrop in several practical ways. Tax specialists should proactively engage first time buyer clients on available schemes while demand remains strong. Advisory firms serving construction and property clients should use the annualised approval trend to inform growth and cash flow planning. Understanding the normal seasonal pattern will help firms interpret future monthly dips accurately for clients.

The overall picture is genuinely encouraging for the Irish finance sector. With approvals resilient and first time buyers driving sustained activity, accountancy and advisory firms are well placed to guide clients confidently through the final months of the year ahead.