AIB has said it expects to report earnings per share for this year to be in line with market forecasts.
In a trading statement, it said it was 'comfortable' with forecasts of €1.25 in adjusted earnings per share, which would be an increase of just under 6% on last year and would be at the higher end of its previous guidance.
AIB said profits would increase by a double-digit percentage when the effects of currency movements were stripped out. It added that foreign exchange movements would knock 4% off earnings.
AIB repeated that it would take a charge of €50m linked to the investigations into foreign exchange overcharging.
In the Republic of Ireland, the bank said it expected strong growth in deposits and lending - 15% and 25% respectively - though profits from Ark Life would be 'a little lower'.
Profits in Britain and Northern Ireland are expected to rise strongly, while results from the Polish operations will be much stronger after a difficult 2003.
AIB said net interest margins would fall by 0.25 points as loans are growing faster than deposits.
In Dublin, the shares closed up two cent to €14.72 this evening.
