Mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley said it was on track to increase profits by about 9% this year. Financial Times

It said lending volume has been robust and its core buy-to-let market had been boosted by increased immigration and the rise in the student population.

'The demographic drivers of our specialist markets remain strong,' said Steven Crawshaw, chief executive. 'For buy-to-let, increased immigration, greater job mobility, growth in the number of households and the rise in the student population continue to support the private rental market.'