ICS Mortgages is one of Ireland’s specialist non-bank mortgage lenders — available only through mortgage brokers, not directly from any branch or website. Originally the mortgage arm of Bank of Ireland, ICS was acquired by Dilosk in 2014 and now operates as an independent lender competing with the retail banks on both price and flexibility.
If you have been refused by a high-street bank, work in a complex income situation, or want to compare broker-only rates, ICS is worth knowing about.
Who Is ICS Mortgages?
ICS Mortgages is part of the Dilosk group, one of Ireland’s dedicated mortgage finance companies. Dilosk funds ICS through institutional capital markets rather than customer deposits, which gives ICS more flexibility in the types of lending it will consider.
Unlike AIB, Bank of Ireland, or PTSB — which all have retail branch networks — ICS has no branches and no direct customer application channel. Every ICS mortgage is arranged through an independent mortgage broker.
ICS Mortgage Rates 2026
ICS offers LTV-tiered fixed rates, meaning borrowers with more equity (lower LTV) get better rates. Exact rates change frequently — always confirm with a broker — but indicatively:
| LTV Band | Approx Fixed Rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Up to 60% LTV | From ~3.1–3.4% |
| 60–80% LTV | From ~3.4–3.7% |
| 80–90% LTV | From ~3.7–4.0% |
ICS also offers:
- Green mortgage rate — reduced rate for properties with BER A or B rating
- Buy-to-let rates — higher than owner-occupier; confirm via broker
- Self-build rates — available with staged drawdown
ICS is consistently competitive against the main retail banks, particularly for borrowers with lower LTV (more equity or larger deposit).
ICS Mortgage Products
Residential Mortgages
ICS offers standard owner-occupier fixed-rate mortgages at 2, 3, 5, and 7-year fixed terms. Variable rates are also available. Residential mortgages are available for first-time buyers, second-time buyers, and home movers.
Green Mortgages
ICS offers a preferential rate for properties with a BER A or B energy rating. If you are buying a new build or a well-insulated second-hand home, ask your broker to compare ICS’s green rate against the retail banks.
Buy-to-Let Mortgages
ICS is active in the buy-to-let (BTL) sector, offering mortgages for investment properties up to 70% LTV (30% deposit required). ICS assesses BTL applications on rental yield coverage and income separately — useful for landlords with multiple properties or non-standard income.
Self-Build Mortgages
ICS lends on self-build projects using staged drawdown — funds are released in tranches as construction milestones are certified. ICS has appetite for self-build on family land, renovation projects, and one-off rural house builds that the main banks may be less comfortable with.
ICS Criteria: Who Does ICS Suit?
ICS applies the same Central Bank of Ireland income and LTV limits as all regulated lenders (4× income for FTBs, 3.5× for STBs; 10%/20% deposits). Within those limits, ICS tends to have more flexible underwriting than the main retail banks in several areas:
Contractors and Self-Employed
ICS can assess contractor income on a day-rate basis (annualised from daily rate × working days), which is more favourable than the 2–3 year average accounts approach that retail banks often require. For IT contractors, healthcare locums, and professional contractors this can mean a significantly higher borrowing amount.
Complex Income
Bonus income, commission, shift allowances, and investment income can be assessed more generously by ICS than by high-street banks. Brokers experienced with ICS know which income types it will include and at what percentage.
Multiple Properties
Landlords with existing investment properties can find ICS more willing to assess applications on their merits, rather than applying blanket affordability hits for existing rental portfolios.
After a Previous Credit Issue
ICS can consider applications where a borrower has a resolved credit blip — a missed payment that is now fully cleared, or an older default. Each case is assessed individually. This does not mean ICS lends to applicants with active arrears, but it means a clean-now record from a few years ago is not automatically disqualifying.
How to Apply for an ICS Mortgage
ICS does not accept direct applications. To access ICS mortgages you must use a mortgage broker.
Step 1: Find a broker with ICS panel access Not all brokers are on ICS’s panel — ask any broker you speak to whether they include ICS in their lender comparisons.
Step 2: Gather your documents The standard document set applies:
- Last 3 months’ payslips (employed) or 2–3 years’ accounts (self-employed)
- Last 6 months’ bank statements (all accounts)
- Proof of deposit/savings
- Photo ID and proof of address
- P60 or revenue statement
- Employment detail summary (EDS) from Revenue
Step 3: Broker submits the application Your broker submits on your behalf. ICS typically issues Approval in Principle (AIP) within 5–10 working days of receiving a full application pack.
Step 4: Property valuation Once a property is agreed, ICS commissions a valuation from their panel of approved valuers. Drawdown follows after legal pack completion by your solicitor.
ICS vs the Main Banks: Key Differences
| Feature | ICS Mortgages | AIB / BOI / PTSB |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Broker only | Branch, online, broker |
| Contractor income | Day-rate assessment | 2–3 year average accounts |
| Green rate | Yes (BER A/B) | Yes (all main banks) |
| Self-build | Yes | Yes (selected) |
| Buy-to-let | Yes | Yes |
| Cashback | No | Sometimes |
| Branches | None | Yes |
The main reason to consider ICS is if a retail bank has declined you, if you earn in a way that retail banks assess unfavourably, or if your broker finds ICS’s fixed rate is simply more competitive for your LTV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ICS Mortgages regulated in Ireland?
Yes. ICS Mortgages is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and operates within the same regulatory framework as all Irish mortgage lenders. All lending is subject to the Central Bank’s mortgage lending rules.
Can I switch my existing mortgage to ICS?
Yes — ICS accepts switcher applications. If you are at the end of a fixed-rate period and want to compare rates across the market, a broker can include ICS in the comparison. ICS’s LTV-tiered pricing can make it particularly attractive for homeowners who have built up significant equity.
Does ICS offer tracker mortgages?
No. ICS does not offer tracker mortgages. Fixed and variable rate products only.
What is the maximum mortgage term with ICS?
Up to 35 years on residential mortgages, subject to the applicant’s age at the end of the term (most lenders require the mortgage to be repaid before age 70).
See also: Finance Ireland Mortgages | Mortgage Brokers in Ireland | Best Mortgage Lenders in Ireland | Mortgage Rates Ireland 2026 | Avant Money Mortgage Ireland | Self-Employed Mortgage Ireland