Where can you invest? 

What types of financial providers can you invest with?

You can invest your money through several types of financial providers, including banks, stockbrokers, investment brokers, financial advisers, life insurance companies and online trading platforms. Each provider offers different levels of service, advice and control over your investments.

Some, such as financial advisers and discretionary services, provide guidance or manage investments on your behalf, while others, like online trading platforms, usually operate on an execution‑only basis without advice. Before investing, it’s important to check that the provider is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, understand the risks and fees involved, and consider whether ethical or sustainable investing matters to you.

Even if you use the same provider, the level of help you get can differ. You might get advice in some cases, or be expected to make your own investment decisions in others, with different levels of protection.

What are your options?

You have several options when choosing where to invest your money. Each provider offers different services and levels of advice.

Main types of financial providers

• Stockbroker: Acts as an intermediary/middleman for customers who want to invest in stocks, shares, or certain funds.
• Investment broker: Buys and sells investments on behalf of customers.
• Financial adviser: Gives advice to consumers. Advisers can be "tied" (only advising on their employer’s products) or "independent" (advising on products from a range of providers).
• Bank: Takes deposits, offers loans, and may also provide investment services, currency exchange, and safe deposit boxes.
• Life insurance company: Sells insurance policies and may also offer investment products.
• Online trading platform: An app or website where you can buy investments directly. Most do not offer investment advice and simply provide a way to buy and sell investment products.

What investment options are available to you?

The type of investment service you choose affects how much control you have and how much advice you receive.

The three main types of investment services

• Discretionary services: You give the provider full permission to buy and sell investments on your behalf. They will assess your investment goals and attitude to risk and use this information to make decisions for you.
• Advisory service: You retain full control over your investments. The provider advises you on suitable options based on your goals and risk attitude, but you make the final decision.
• Execution-only service: The provider carries out transactions (buying and selling investments) on your behalf but does not provide advice or recommendations.

Some providers offer all three types of services, while others may only offer one or two. Be aware that fees can vary depending on the service and provider.

What should you consider when choosing an online trading platform?

Is it all a little too easy?

• Easy digital set-up and real-time access: Online trading platforms let you open an account and start investing quickly, all through a digital process. You can view live market data and manage your investments from anywhere.
• Mobile and desktop app convenience: Most platforms offer smartphone and desktop apps, making it easy to track your portfolio and receive updates. This allows you to monitor your investments and react to market changes instantly.
• Instant trading and alerts: You can buy or sell investments almost immediately, with the option to set up automatic alerts for price changes or news. This speed can help you act quickly on opportunities.

When using execution‑only platforms, you are fully responsible for your investment decisions. This means the platform simply carries out the trades you choose to make. It does not give advice, assess whether an investment is suitable for you, or warn you if a product is high risk.

What are the risks with such accessible trading technology?

• Execution-only risk and product complexity: Most platforms operate on an execution-only basis, meaning they do not provide advice or assess your risk profile. Some products available, such as Contracts for Difference, can be complex and may not suit all investors.
• Risk of over-investing: The convenience and speed of online platforms can make it tempting to invest more than planned. It’s important to set limits and avoid making impulsive decisions.
• Check regulation and compensation schemes: Always confirm that the platform is regulated by a recognised authority and check if your investments are covered by a compensation scheme. This protects you if the provider fails.
• No protection for unregulated investments: If you invest in unregulated products, such as cryptocurrencies, you have no legal protections or compensation if things go wrong. Always understand the risks before investing.

What tax do you have to pay from online trading?

There are tax obligations linked to the sale of investments. The type and rate of tax depend on the income you receive. For example, dividends are subject to income tax, while profits from selling shares are generally subject to Capital Gains Tax. 

Go to our taxes and charges page for more information. Consider seeking advice from a financial adviser or tax expert about your requirements.

How can you invest ethically and sustainably?

Ethical and sustainable investing lets you choose options that meet certain ethical principles or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria.

How to invest ethically

• Decide which issues matter most to you (e.g. avoiding companies that use child labour or you may choose to invest  in green technologies).
• Research or ask your provider about their ethical principles and whether these match your values.
• Use independent websites to check the ethical status of investment products.

These investments are increasingly popular due to demand for transparency. Within the EU, providers offering ESG products must give clear information about how these products meet ESG criteria. This is to prevent greenwashing, where investments are misleadingly marketed as ethical or environmentally friendly.