Anglo profits surge 33% to 346m

ANGLO IRISH BANK has raised its dividend by 50% after a 33% surge in full year profits to 346 million.

Shareholders will be paid a final dividend of 13.93 cent, bringing the total for the year to 18.8c, a 50% jump on last year’s payment.

Anglo Irish said yesterday pre-tax profits had risen to 346.5m in the year to end September from 261.3m a year ago, with lending for the period strongly ahead.