The group reported earnings of 5.
17 rupees per share for the quarter. For the six months it reported earnings of 10.
57 rupees.
The stock closed at 220 rupees, down 4.
40 Friday.
Profits were also helped by a lower rate of tax, the bank said. A so-called financial value added tax fell 41 percent to 373 million rupees and income tax fell 11 percent to 824 million rupees.
Group interest income rose 9.1 percent 9.1 billion rupees but interest expense grew at a slower 1.
8 percent to 4.6 billion rupees allowing net interest income to grow 17.
7 percent to 4.49 billion rupees.
The bank said in a statement that it took "timely action to re-price deposits.
"
Group performing loans grew 7 percent to 228 billion rupees from December.
Managing director Amitha Gooneratne said the loan growth reflects a resurgent business sector.
Fee income rose 11.4 percent to 1.49 billion rupees.
Loan loss provisions were a negative 19.3 million rupees with a 346 million rupee provision off-se