Fortis, the Benelux financial services group, confirmed today that net profits jumped 32% to €3.9bn ($4.6bn) on strong banking performance last year. The group was forced to reveal headline figures last week following the theft of a briefcase containing the draft results.

Net profits from banking rose from €1.5bn in 2004 to €2.4bn. Net profits for insurance increased from €1.12bn to €1.2bn.