Financial services and mortgage broker group IFG has reported first half pre-tax profits of €9.9m - a 39% increase on the same six months last year, though Irish mortgage lending fell back 12%.
The group had adjusted earnings per share of 12.11 cent - a 48% increase on last year, with an interim dividend of 1.13 cent - a 10% increase on the first half in 2006.
The group said there was a 12% fall in Irish mortgage lending to E670m.
It said it was performing well in this divison compared to the market and the fall was offset by growth in title insurance business -which had operating operating profits up 18.6% to €2.4m.
Title insurance is protection against loss arising from problems connected to the title to your property.
The group pointed out that its mortgage business only accounts for around 20% of profits.
IFG's International trustee operating profits rose 30% to €4.3m and UK financial services operating profits more than doubled to €1.7m.
