Updated at 7.06pm: Commercial banking group BoC Hong Kong (Holdings) on Thursday reported a 16.86 per cent rise in net profit to $6.52 billion for the six months to June, up from $5.6 billion in the first half of last year.
Higher operating profit, an increase in recovery of loans previously written off and a property revaluation gain contributed to the profit growth.
Bank chairman Xiao Gang said the economic upturn had boosted demand for credit and banking services.
'The group has continued to pursue growth and excellence through a proactive business strategy that stresses higher yields and higher asset quality,' Mr Xiao added.
BoC HK's interest income increased to $10 billion in the first six months of the year, from $7.3 billion previously. Its operating profit rose about 16.6 per cent to $7.92 billion for the interim period, up from $6.8 billion in the six months to June last year.
BoC Hong Kong announced it would pay an interim dividend of 33 cents a share.