Irish households have more than €160 billion sitting in bank accounts, yet most of that money is earning little or no return. At the same time, homebuilders are struggling to access the funding they need to deliver new housing. This gap highlights a simple truth: cash left in the bank isn’t working hard enough for savers or for society.
That’s why David Jelly set up Property Bridges in 2018. The company's goal is to give everyday investors the chance to earn property-backed returns that were once reserved for institutions, while also supporting much-needed housing projects. Through its online platform, people can invest directly in secured property loans, knowing their money is helping to fund real homes. In 2023, Property Bridges became one of the few Irish firms regulated under the EU Crowdfunding Service Provider framework, giving investors confidence in transparency and standards.
Of course, investing always carries risk. Timing the stock market perfectly is difficult for anyone — even professionals. That’s why Mr Jelly often encourages people to diversify. For some, index funds provide long-term growth, while others prefer lower-risk, income-producing options like government bonds. Secured property lending can be another tool in that mix, offering returns of up to eight per cent per year, though capital is always at risk.
The important thing is to make your money work harder. By looking beyond the banks, investors can protect their savings and at the same time help fund the homes our communities need.
Visit www.propertybridges.com or call 01 5494546 today for more details.
