British bank Northern Rock has said it is on track to meet anaysts' forecasts of £357 million in post-tax profits for 2006, up 15.9 per cent on 2005.
The bank added it was also on course to meet its own full-year targets, including 20 per cent growth in underlying profits and a similar growth in assets.
The bank said its total pipeline of new lending business - or deals waiting to be finalised - stood at £6.5 billion, up 18 per cent from the end of June.
The pipeline for residential lending carried into the final quarter is £6 billion, 21 per cent higher than at mid-year.
Northern Rock shares have leapt 25 per cent this year, valuing the bank at £5 billion.
