From 1 February 2008, the Central Bank of Ireland is the body responsible for the authorisation and supervision of retail credit firms and home reversion firms.
A retail credit firm is a firm that provides credit (in the form of cash loans) directly to individuals, or a firm that has been prescribed as a “credit institution” under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995, as amended.
A home reversion scheme is where a consumer agrees to sell a share of their home in return for a set price. The consumer does not borrow against the value of their home but instead sells a share of their home. The home reversion company will receive the relevant share of the sale of the home when the consumer moves out of their home or dies.
A list of home reversion and/or retail credit firms currently authorised in Ireland can be accessed via the Registers website. Alternatively you may wish to contact the Registers section via e-mail at registers@centralbank.ie.