A surge in personal and business lending in the North boosted Northern Bank's pre-tax profits by £6 million sterling (€9.8 million) to £98 million last year, according to its latest annual results.

Northern Bank highlighted good volume growth as the key driver for its improved performance during the 12 months to September 2001. Personal loans grew year on year by 9 per cent, while business lending also increased by 6.5 per cent.

Northern Bank employs more than 2,000 people in the North, where it has 95 branches.

Mr Don Price, Northern Bank's chief executive, said the bank's income had grown by 2.3 per cent to £135.2 billion. He cited the introduction of new products as a driver of growth.

He said National Australia Bank Group would introduce an Internet banking service for its Northern Bank and National Irish customers next year.