AIB lifts outlook after strong quarter shows Irish economy resilience

AIB Group PLC increased its annual guidance across several metrics after the Dublin-based bank said it delivered "another strong quarter" through September.

Shares in the financial services and commercial banking group jumped 5.7% to 958.00 pence in morning trading in London.

AIB said total income grew 3.0% in the nine months to September, with net interest income up 2.0% to EUR2.87 billion compared to a year earlier. Other income rose 7.0%. The company now expects net interest income to be above EUR3.85 billion in 2026, up from its latest guidance of above EUR3.80 billion.

Gross loans grew 5.6% to EUR76.30 billion from EUR72.30 billion in December 2025, driven by a 17% increase in new lending to EUR12.30 billion. AIB said gross loans are expected to grow 5.0-6.0% in the full year, up from a previously forecast 5.0% increase.

Customer deposits rose 2.7% to EUR120.4 billion and are expected to grow between 3.0% and 4.0% annually, up from a previous forecast of 3.0%.

Common equity tier 1 ratio stood at 15.7% in September, down from 16.1% in June.

AIB confirmed all other guidance metrics, including return on tangible equity above 20%.

Chief Executive Colin Hunt said the bank delivered "another strong quarter reflecting the resilience of the Irish economy and the continued momentum in our business".

Hunt added: "As we enter the final months of our current strategic cycle, we remain focused on delivering sustainable growth and shareholder returns."

AIB said it will outline details of its next strategic cycle to 2030 in March.

Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.