Underlying profits at Bank of Ireland doubled over the past six months, to €743m at the end of June, according to new figures released by the bank. The corresponding figure in 2014 was €327m.
The value of defaulting loans was reduced by €1bn during the first half of this year - defaulted loans are down by more than a quarter on their peak levels.
Bank of Ireland's UK mortgage business returned to growth and leading increase by 50 percent when compared with the same period last year.
Earlier this month Bank of Ireland said it would keep its variable mortgage rates under review, after Permanent TSB's move to cut its rates.
Speaking to Newstalk's Vincent Wall the head of Bank of Ireland has refused to be drawn on whether the bank plans to bring down its variable mortgage rates.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has hinted that October's budget could be used to deal with the banks on the issue.
Earlier commenting on the results Mr Boucher said: “We have made further good progress against our strategic priorities during the first half of 2015, building on the momentum we have established in recent years. We continue to be confident in the Group’s prospects."
