AIB has raised its target for full-year earnings per share as its strong performance in 2004 had continued this year.
"Based on strong current business trends and pipelines, together with better than anticipated asset quality, we are increasing our EPS guidance," it said in a trading statement.
"We are now targeting EPS in 2005 to be in a range of 138 cents - 140 cents."
The bank, which also operates in Britain, Poland and the United States, said in April it expected 2005 earnings to be in a range of 135-137 cents a share, based on new international accounting rules, or 142-144 cents on an unadjusted basis.
The group said the impact of the new financial accounting standards would be less than had been thought and restated pro-forma earnings per share for 2004 at 127.1 cents - compared to the 125.6 cents previously outlined.
Income growth was expected to outpace cost growth again in 2005, the bank said.