Bank of Ireland Life sales jump 21%

BANK OF IRELAND’S life and pensions arm delivered strong full-year results yesterday announcing a 21% increase in sales.

But the figures masked a slowdown in the second half as the division failed to match its impressive run in the first six months of 2004.

Bank of Ireland Life, which includes the New Ireland Assurance brand, said total sales for the year hit €284 million, up from €224 million the previous year. The sales increase was front-loaded, however, as the 43% hike in first-half sales was followed by a second half that was just 5% ahead of the corresponding period in 2003.