AIB Group has doubled its mortgage lending target to €2bn for 2013. In doing so, it joins Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB who have also recently announced significant increases in lending targets for the year ahead.

Figures show that in 2012 AIB (which includes EBS) provided 45pc of all mortgages in Ireland and continues to approve seven out of 10 completed mortgage applications.

The state-owned bank has also announced that it is launching a new service designed to assist mortgage applicants prepare their mortgage application called ‘Let us help you get mortgage ready’.

Head of mortgages at AIB, Jim O’Keeffe said: “AIB has seen very positive trends in the 2012 figures. We are exceeding our mortgage targets and as our ambitions for 2013 show we continue to be very much open for business.