Chief executive Paul Thwaite said customer activity stayed healthy despite the Iran war, as pretax profit reached £2.03 billion in the quarter.
Strong saving and borrowing demand helped lift Q1 income 9.5% to £4.36 billion, with net interest income at £3.39 billion and margin improving to 2.47%.
Earlier on Thursday, the British bank said the strong quarter prompted it to expect full-year income at the top end of its £17.2-£17.6 billion range.
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