Microfinance Ireland has three ongoing voluntary partnerships with the three major banks in Ireland - Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank. Like Microfinance Ireland, all 3 banks operate on a national basis. Microfinance Ireland borrows loan funds on a commercial basis from all 3 banks. The loan funds received are being used to assist Microfinance Ireland with the funding of its loan book and operations. Co-funding occurs when the bank or its customers approach Microfinance Ireland to provide funding alongside bank funds in cases where the bank is unable to provide the full funding amount.