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Virgin Money's profits up by 53% in first listed year Virgin Money's profits up by 53% in first listed year
(about 1 hour later)
Virgin Money has reported a strong performance for its first full financial year since it listed on the stock exchange. Virgin Money has reported a strong performance for its first full financial year since listing on the stock market.
It saw underlying profits for 2015 rise by 53% to £160.3m. It reported a 53% rise in underlying profits for 2015 to £160.3m.
The Edinburgh-based bank said its gross mortgage lending was £7.5bn, a rise of 29% on the previous year, giving it a market share of 3.4%. The Edinburgh-based bank said its gross mortgage lending was £7.5bn, up 29% on the previous year, giving it a market share of 3.4%.
Virgin said its funding position was strong with deposit balances higher than at any time in its history. Virgin said its funding position was strong with record deposit balances.
Balances grew by 12% to £25.1bn, meaning Virgin Money's market share now stands at 1.5%. Shares jumped 8% to 367.6p in morning trading. The shares have risen just over 30% since it listed in November 2014, meaning the company is worth £1.6bn.
'Improved confidence' Balances rose by 12% to £25.1bn, giving the bank a 1.5% share of the savings account market.
The bank said the UK savings market had continued to grow strongly, helped by a positive economic backdrop and "supportive" government policy's on Isas. Improved confidence
It also highlighted "improving consumer confidence in the UK," which is said was responsible for the rise in demand for unsecured borrowing. The savings market had grown strongly, helped by a positive economic backdrop and "supportive" government policy on Isas, Virgin said.
It said credit card balances were 44% higher at £1.6bn. Virgin now has a 2.5% share of the market. It also highlighted "improving consumer confidence in the UK", which it said was responsible for the rise in demand for unsecured borrowing.
In its statement it forecast that it would reach its aim of increasing credit card balances to at least £3bn a year early, by the end of 2017. Virgin said credit card balances were 44% higher at £1.6bn, giving the bank a 2.5% market share.
EU referendum It expected to increase credit card balances to at least £3bn by the end of 2017 - ahead of target.
In the case of mortgage lending, deposit balances and credit card balances Virgin's growth outstripped the market. Its growth in mortgage lending, deposit balances and credit card balances outstripped the market, according to the company.
Statutory profit before tax leapt from £34m in 2014 to £138m last year. Statutory pre-tax profit leapt from £34m to £138m last year.
Looking to 2016 the bank said it was "very aware of the downside risks related to the impending UK referendum on EU membership, the uncertain outlook for interest rates, and the recent market turbulence caused by the slowdown in emerging markets and falling commodity prices. Looking to 2016 the bank said it was aware of the risks related to the UK referendum on EU membership, as well as market turbulence caused by the slowdown in emerging markets and falling commodity prices.
"All of these have the potential to adversely impact the UK economy. A lower for longer forecast interest rate puts pressure on net interest margins and therefore business and financial performance." "All of these have the potential to adversely impact the UK economy," Virgin Money said.
Buy-to-let uncertainty
Virgin said its mortgage and savings business remained the key profit driver, contributing 69% of total income last year.
The mortgage business was dominated by residential lending (83%), with buy-to-let accounting for 17%.
In December, the Bank of England's Financial Stability Report raised concerns over the growth in buy-to-let lending and the impact that a shift to the private rental sector could have on market stability.
Virgin said tax and regulatory changes may make buy-to-let less attractive to investors: "These changes have added uncertainty to the outlook of buy-to-let for both landlords and lenders, particularly over the medium to long-term."