AIB sees profits surge to €851m

AIB made pre-tax profits of €851 million for the first six months of 2005 against €706m in the same period last year.

Double digit growth was achieved across all its key trading divisions with the Republic of Ireland a “stalwart” in the overall outturn, the group said.

The bank expects that trend to continue and has revised up its basic earnings per share from 138 -140 cent to 140-142 cent for the year.