St George Bank's interim result was largely in line with stock market analysts' expectations. On average, sell-side analysts decreased their forecasts for earnings per share estimates for the September 2007 year by 0.2 per cent but increased estimates for 2008 by 0.3 per cent.Brokers are now forecasting St George will deliver 2007 earnings per share growth at the mid-point of management's revised guidance of a rise in earnings per share of between 11 to 12 per cent. The consensus is at 11.4 per cent, ranging from 9.6 to 12.6 per cent. A full year dividend of $1.69 per share is forecast for the 2007 financial year.Consensus earnings per share growth in 2008 is forecast to come in just below management guidance of 10 per cent, with brokers currently forecasting 9.8 per cent growth (ranging from 8.7 to 11.9 per cent). A $1.85 per share dividend is expected.Commentary from the brokers focused on the continuing weakness in St George's retail bank as mortgage and deposit growth was below peers' (largely as a result of slow growth in NSW). Credit quality was a lesser concern given the bank's heavy bias towards lower risk mortgage lending, however several analysts picked up expectations of potential rises in unsecured arrears given St George's recent strong lending growth in these products.Almost every broker has a neutral (that is, a hold) recommendation on St George and price targets are all below yesterday's $36.65 closing share price.