Secure Trust Bank Plc continued to trade strongly in the final period of 2018 and full year results for the year are expected to be in line with management's and the market's expectations. The Group's 2018 interim results noted lenders were increasingly competing on price and risk appetite to drive new residential mortgage business volumes and that Secure Trust Bank was tempering the growth of this part of the business. During the second half of 2018 market pressures and competition intensified as evidenced by increasing Loan to Value metrics and lower new net lending margins. Having considered all of these factors, Secure Trust Bank is proposing to cease origination of new residential mortgage business until conditions become more favourable. Any changes in the business that may arise from this proposal, following the conclusion of the consultation period with the staff affected, are not expected to have a material impact on 2018 and 2019 earnings. The Group entered 2019 with positive business momentum, robust capital positions and very strong liquidity and remains well placed to pursue its strategic priorities.