Banco Santander H1 Profit Rises - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Spanish lender Banco Santander SA (BNC.L, BSBR, SAN) reported that ordinary attributable profit to the group for the first half grew 24.3 percent to 3.43 billion euros from 2.76 billion euros last year. Ordinary earnings per share edged up 0.2 percent to 0.236 euros from 0.236 euros last year.

Santander noted that its ten core markets increased profit, with a particularly important increase in the bank's three largest markets - Spain, United Kingdom and Brazil.

The largest bank in Spain reported that net interest income increased 13.6 percent to 16.32 billion euros from 14.36 billion euros a year earlier.

The bank said revenues grew 12 percent and costs 11 percent, which allowed net operating income to grow 13 percent to 12.26 billion euros. The efficiency ratio improved 0.4 point, to 46.9 percent, one of the best in the sector.

The bank's board of directors also announced its new dividend policy against fiscal year 2015, which consists of the payment of four dividends for 0.05 euros per share, of which three will be paid in cash and one in shares or cash, per the shareholders choice. This year's August dividend payment will be made entirely in cash.