BoI half-year profits rise 7% to 640m

BANK OF IRELAND, the country's second largest bank, made a profit of 24.69 million a week for the first half of 2003.

Reporting a 7% rise in profits for the first-half of the year last night, the bank predicted a satisfactory outcome for the full year.

The bank said profit before tax and exceptional items for the half year to September 30 rose to 642 million, from 602 million last year.