In line with the trend of a return to profitability on the part of banks in Ireland generally, KBC Bank Ireland has announced profits after tax and loan impairment costs of €18m for the six months to June.

That compares with losses of €34m for the same period last year. Loan impairment costs were €16m during the period compared to €62m last year.

KBC says it added 31,500 new accounts during the period – though we’re not told if they lost any over the same time frame.

The bank says it has a 15 percent share of the mortgage market here and that the number of customers in mortgage arrears fell by 14 percent in the six months to June.

Commenting on the financial results, Wim Verbraeken, Chief Executive of KBC Bank Ireland said: “The financial results and impairments are in line with our expectations and we remain on track to return to full year profitability by 2016, so our guidance remains the same as previously stated.

"We also launched a new responsive website and mobile app, making personal banking even easier for our customers on the go."