Abbey National chief executive Mr Ian Harley was in buoyant mood today after first quarter figures showed the bank was in "great shape".
The group said profits were well ahead on the same period a year earlier, with mortgage, life assurance and wholesale banking operations delivering record levels of new business.Mr Harley said at the announcement of today's results "Our business has got off to a flying start in the first quarter."Abbey National is in great shape - we are focusing on growing the business, and remain committed to building on our excellent track record of delivering shareholder and customer value." he added.However, Mr Harley had nothing to add today on Lloyds TSB's proposed takeover of Abbey or the resulting British Competition Commission inquiry.He also declined to comment on the announcement yesterday that rivals Halifax and Bank of Scotland - Abbey's former suitor - were in merger talks.Abbey said its prospects looked good today, with no sign that the economic slowdown was hurting the housing market.The number of mortgage approvals in Britain reached its highest level ever in March, while current account openings approached 4,000 a week - up 161 per cent on the same period a year earlier. PA