1. Account Setup - Central Bank Portal

Each institution has a unique identifier on the Portal called an “Institution Number”. This is your existing “C” code with “CBI” at the start and leading zeros. It has 11 characters in total.

Example: If your “C” code is C1234, your institution number is CBI00001234.

You may need your institution number when contacting Central Bank of Ireland or completing Portal tasks.

Visit the registration instructions page to register for a Portal account. Registration takes approximately 5 minutes and involves 3 steps.

Step 1: Enter Your Details

Enter your first name, last name, and personal email address.

Your email address manages your Portal account. Use a personal email that only you can access.

Step 2: Verify Your Email Address

The Central Bank will send you an email with a verification code. This confirms you own the email address you gave.

Enter the verification code on screen to verify your email.

Note: Verification codes expire after 30 minutes. If you do not enter the code in time, click “request another verification code” to get a new one.

Step 3: Create Your Password

Your password must be 8 characters and include at least one of each:

• Uppercase letter (A–Z)
• Lowercase letter (a–z)
• Number (0–9)
• Special character (for example, ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( )).

This makes sure your password is strong and secure.

After you Register

You will see your person code on screen and receive it by email.

You can now log in using your person code and password.

On your first login, you will set up a second factor method (see section 1.3.2 How do I set up my Second-Factor Method?).

Your Portal Administrator must link your account to your institution before you can see institution screens.

Your person code is your unique identifier for the Portal. You will receive it after you register.

Your person code is personal to you – it is not tied to your institution.

You use the same person code to log in, whether you work at one institution or multiple institutions.

Your person code remains valid even if you change jobs.

The Portal shows some of the information the Central Bank holds about your institution. What you see depends on your authorisation. This may include:

• Address information
• Types of insurance classes you are authorised to provide
• Connections with other institutions
• Other relevant institutional data.

The information you see depends on your role and permissions. Contact your Portal Administrator if you need access to different data.

The Portal uses multi-factor authentication to keep your account secure.

How it Works

Multi-factor authentication requires two types of proof:

• What you know – your login details (person code and password)
• What you have – a second factor method (phone call, mobile app, or token).

You must provide at least two of these to access the Portal.

Why it Matters

• Protects your account and your institution’s data from unauthorised access
• Keeps communication between your institution and the Central Bank secure
• Is mandatory for all Portal Users.

New Users

After you register, you will get an email from Duo (our security provider) at no-reply@duosecurity.com.

This email contains a link to set up your second factor method.

1. Click the link.
2. A new window will open – click “Get Started”
3. Follow the steps to set up your second factor method.

You will need to use this method every time you log in.

Existing Users

If you see “Not enrolled in Duo” when you log in, email onlinereturns@centralbank.ie with your person code.

We will send you a setup link.

1. Click the link.
2. A new window will open – click “Get Started”.
3. Follow the steps to set up your second factor method.

Important: The setup link expires after 30 days. If you need a new link, email onlinereturns@centralbank.ie.

If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or contact onlinereturns@centralbank.ie.

After you set up your second factor method, you can log in to the Portal.

What if I do not want to use my personal phone?

You need your second factor method every time you log in and when you change account settings. Choose a method you can always access.

The Central Bank recommends using a work device or phone if you prefer not to use a personal one. However, this may cause problems if you do not have access to that device when logging in.

For example, if you choose a phone call to a work landline, you must be beside that landline to complete authentication.

If you move to another institution, update your account details before you leave. This ensures you can still access the Portal at your next job (see section 1.7.1 I am Changing Employer but Need Access to the Portal in my New Role. What do I do?).

Learn More About Second Factor Authentication

Watch these videos to understand second factor authentication:

• How to Set Up Your Second Factor Method
• Using Your Second Factor Method at Each Login.

For more guidance, see Cisco Duo Multi Factor Authenticator.

Should I set up an Alternative Second Factor Method?

The Central Bank recommends setting up both a mobile app and phone call as backup options. This way, you can still log in if one method is not available.

Setting up a backup method is optional. You can continue using the Portal with just one method, but the Central Bank recommends having a backup in case you cannot access your first method.

How do I add an Alternative Second Factor Method?

1. Click “Sign in” on the login page
2. Click “Other Options”
3. Click “Manage Devices”
4. Authenticate using your current second factor method
5. Click “Add a device”
6. Select the method you want to set up as your backup.

How do I Update my Second Factor Mobile app Details?

To change the mobile device used for your second factor method:

1. Click “Sign in” on the login page
2. Before you authenticate, click “Other Options”
3. Click “Manage Devices”
4. Authenticate at this point
5. Click “I have a new phone”
6. Follow the prompts to set up your new device.

How do I Update my Second Factor Phone Details?

To change the phone number used for your second factor method:

1. Click “Sign in” on the login page
2. Click “Other Options”
3. Click “Manage Devices”
4. Authenticate at this point
5. You will see options to update your phone number or add a device
6. To add a new phone number, click “Add a device”
7. Click “Phone Number” and enter your new number.

No. Duo is a trusted third-party service that keeps access to the Portal secure and controlled.

The Central Bank does not have access to any data on your device.

Duo only has access to information to authenticate you. It cannot view your personal files, messages, or other data.

Why is my Email Address Verified?

Your email address manages your Portal account. It must be a personal email that only you can access.

We will send a verification code to your email address to confirm you own it. You must enter this code to verify the address.

How do I Update my Email Address?

Important: You must authenticate using your second factor method to change your email address. Have your second factor method ready.

To access account settings, click the arrow beside your name in the top corner and select “Account Settings”.

To change your email address:

1. Click “Change” on the “Email Address” field
2. A confirmation box will appear asking you to authenticate. Click “Continue”
3. Complete authentication using your second factor method
4. The “Change Your Email Address” form will open. Enter your new email address (Step 1).



Important: Your email address manages your Portal account. Use a personal email that only you can access. It cannot be in use by another Portal User.

5. The Central Bank will send a verification code to your new email address. Enter this code (Step 2). Click “Submit”.

If the verification code expires, click “Send another verification code” to obtain a new one.

Your password must be 8 characters and include at least one of each:

• Uppercase letter (A–Z)
• Lowercase letter (a–z)
• Number (0–9)
• Special character (for example, ! £ $ % ^ & * ( )).

Valid password examples: - MyPassword1! - Portal@123abc - Secure$Pass99

Use “Account Settings” to manage your Portal account details.

How to Access Account Settings

Click the arrow beside your name in the top corner and select “Account Settings”.

What you can Manage

My details - your registered email address, your person code (you cannot change this – it is your unique identifier issued by the Central Bank) and your password.

My name information - first name and last name.

My address information - full address details.

1. Go to “Account Settings” (see section 1.4.3 Account Settings Overview).
2. Under “My Name Information”, click “Change” beside the “Name” field.
3. The “Change Your Name” form will open. Enter your first name and last name. Click “Next”.

4. We will send a verification code to your registered email address.
5. Copy the verification code into the field provided. Click “Submit”.

You will return to “Account Settings” and see your updated name.

Important: You can only change your name once a day for security reasons. If you need to make another change, wait until the next day.

If you Have Forgotten Your Password

If you have forgotten your password and cannot log in, visit the Forgot Password page to reset it.

You will receive an email to reset your email within a few minutes.

If you Know Your Current Password

If you know your current password and want to change it, you can do this from “Account Settings” after you log in.

1. Go to “Account Settings”
2. Under “My Details”, click “Change” beside the password field. A new window will open



3. Complete these fields: “Person Code”, “Old password”, “New password” and “Confirm new password”
4. Click “Submit”.

You will see a message confirming your password has been updated. You can now close this window.

To Cancel This Action

Click “Cancel” or close the window. Your password will not be updated.

You will see only your “Account Settings” if your Portal Administrator has not yet linked you to an institution.

This occurs when you first log in.

Contact your Portal Administrator to request access to your institution.

Once you are linked, you will see institution screens.

There are two ways to search the Portal.

Global Search

To search the Portal, click the magnifying glass icon in the top banner.

Type your search term in the field that expands.

Click enter.

Search Results

Search results appear in three categories:

• Documents – documents containing your search term in the title. You can only see documents you have permission to access
• Messages – messages containing your search term in the subject or body. You can only see messages you have permission to access
• Pending Actions – pending actions containing your search term in the description. You can only see actions you have permission to access.

 

Filter Search

Many tables have a filter option. Type your search term in the field and the table will show matching records.

Your person code is personal to you, it is not tied to your employer. Keep it safe – you will need it at your next job.

Scenario 1: Your Email Address and Second Factor Method are NOT Tied to Your Current Employer

You can continue to use these details to access the Portal at your next job.

Scenario 2: Your Email Address and/or Second Factor Method ARE Tied to Your Current Employer

Update your account details before you leave. This ensures you can still access the Portal at your next job.

Log in to the Portal and go to “Account Settings”.

• To update your email address, see section 1.4.1 Email Address Management
• To update your second factor method, see section 1.3.3 Alternative Second Factor Methods.

Additional Steps

1. Notify your current employer’s Portal Administrator that you are leaving
2. Ask them to remove your access to your institution’s profile at the appropriate time.