Record profit of €1.2bn generated

The Central Bank generated a record profit of €1.2 billion last year, with just over €958.2m being paid to the exchequer in the form of an annual dividend.

The profit figure was up from the €840.9m generated in 2010. Similarly, the amount being returned to the exchequer is significantly up, with just over €671m being returned as a dividend the previous year.

Last year also saw the financial authority set aside a financial provision of €300m to guard against potential future losses.