Deutsche Bank reported a better-than-expected rise in its third-quarter profit on growth in its investment-banking division and the partial release of provisions linked to litigation over its Postbank acquisition.

Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank on Wednesday reported a sharp jump in third-quarter profits, boosted by the settlement of investor lawsuits related to a troubled takeover.

The partial release of 440 million euros of litigation provisions in the third quarter helped boost profit, Deutsche Bank said.

Deutsche Bank bounced back to profit in the third quarter, as it reduced reserves set aside for investor lawsuits over its Postbank division while its global investment bank fired on all cylinders. A 15-quarter profit streak at Germany's largest lender was interrupted in the second quarter after it made a large provision for the lawsuits.

Germany’s largest lender by total assets said it is on track to meet its targets for the year after it reported a better-than-expected rise in third-quarter profit.

Deutsche Bank on Wednesday beat expectation in its return to profit in the three months to September, after snapping its 15-quarter profit streak in the second quarter.   Net profit attributable to shareholders came in at 1.

Victoria Farr FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank has raised its forecast for bad loans against the backdrop of a weak German economy, as the bank returned to profit in the third quarter, boosted by investment banking and a cut in reserves for Postbank lawsuits.