Lightyear Launches Irish Savings Product

Lightyear, the investment app backed by billionaire Richard Branson, has launched a savings product for customers in Ireland. The offering became available today, 17 June 2026, and arrives as digital platforms compete more intensely for household savings in the wake of an interest rate hike by the European Central Bank. The company is betting that Irish users will want a single destination for both investing and holding cash.

The product was introduced by co-founders Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer. Lightyear is positioning it as a way for Irish customers to earn interest on cash within the same app they already use for trading, although the company did not disclose specific rates or account terms in its announcement.

Ireland has become a competitive market for investment and savings apps looking to attract retail clients seeking better returns on their cash. The ECB's rate increase has made interest-bearing products more compelling, and Lightyear's move puts it directly against banks and other fintechs that have launched similar savings offerings.

The launch extends Lightyear's broader European expansion. The firm, whose backers include Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, has been building out its product suite beyond share trading into cash management features designed to keep customer balances inside the app.

No further financial details on the Irish savings product were provided. The rollout highlights the intensifying race among app-based platforms for a larger share of household deposits as rate levels shift across Europe. The company also did not say how the product will be marketed or whether plans exist to extend the offer beyond Ireland.