Bank of Ireland governor Richard Burrows said today the company experienced a strong trading performance for the first quarter of the year.
He said the bank expected to deliver low to mid-teens percentage earnings growth this year, as predicted in the company's recent preliminary results announcement.
"Overall, the global economic and demographic backdrop provides a positive trading environment for the group and we expect this to continue," he told shareholders.
"In Ireland, strong economic growth, a growing population, significant job creation and rising incomes are the factors underpinning our confidence while the UK economy continues to grow and provides a significant business opportunity for the group," he added.
In May, the bank reported that underlying earnings per share increased by 16 per cent.