Against the background of highly accommodating monetary policy, persistently low interest rates and further improving economic growth, particularly in Central Europe and Ireland, KBC turned in another strong performance with a net profit of 630 million euros, well up on the 392 million euros in the first quarter of 2016. It was down on the 685 million euros recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016, since it was distorted by the booking of upfront banking taxes in the first quarter. Our lending and deposit volumes as well as our assets under management continued to grow in the first quarter 2017. In addition to the fine business performance, costs remained under control, overall loan loss impairment charges were extremely low and our solvency position remained strong. For Ireland, our guidance for loan impairment is for a release of 120-160 million euros for full year 2017. Read the full story KBC Group: Excellent first-quarter result of 630 million euros