The bank’s cash earnings, the preferred measure which strips out volatile items, were up 10% to AUD3.53 billion against the first half last year.
For the first half of fiscal year 2013, the bank’s net interest income increased AUD222 million to AUD6.44 billion, with a 3% rise in average interest earning assets and a 2bp increase in margins.
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The bank’s lending increased AUD15 billion, or 3%, primarily driven by Australian housing loans.
The group added that its common equity ratio under Basel III has increased by 100bps (on a pro forma basis at March 2012) to 8.74%.
The bank noted that all its Australian businesses produced double-digit cash earnings growth and costs had also been reduced.
Despite the record results, chief executive Gail Kelly said: "The operating environment continues to be challenging, with subdued lending growth. However, in line with our strategy, we are actively targeting opportunities in higher growth areas where conditions are more favorable such as deposits, wealth, trade finance and natural resources."
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By GlobalData"Momentum continued to build over the period, with all our Australian businesses producing double-digit cash earnings growth," she said.
