17 October 2003 12:00am

The talk around the banking sector's been that Cashcard's profit forecast for 2004 is generous, and perhaps it is. A company briefing, released to shareholders, discloses Cashcard's key financials for 2003, and the board's forecasts for 2004.

• Pre-tax profit - $9.6 million in the year to June 2003, up from $4.2 million in the 13 months to June 2002.

• Net profit - $4.4 million in the year to June 2003, up from $2.2 million in the 13 months to June 2002.

• Forecast 2004 pre-tax profit - $23.2 million.

• Forecast 2004 net...