(Adds details on results, CEO comment, background) Aug 11...

(Adds details on results, CEO comment, background)

Aug 11 (Reuters) - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) on Wednesday reported a near 20% jump in annual cash profit, driven by a sustained economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and announced a A$6 billion ($4.41 billion) share buyback.

Australia's control of the pandemic and the resulting swift economic rebound have supported banks, while recent sales of non-core units have left the "big four" lenders flush with cash, out of which they are expected to return a record A$26 billion over the next two years.

CBA, which follows a different reporting calendar than its rivals, said cash net profit after tax at Australia's biggest bank rose 19.8% to A$8.65 billion in the year ended June 30, beating a consensus estimate of A$8.55 bln from five analysts.

The country's largest lender declared a final dividend of A$2.00, higher than the 98 Australian cents per share last year when the country's regulator had capped payouts.

"While the Australian economic recovery continued strongly through most of FY21, the pandemic continues to have an impact on the Australian economy," Chief Executive Officer Matt Comyn said in a statement.

Comyn warned, however, that the bank expects ongoing economic impacts and future earnings pressure from lower interest rates.

($1 = 1.3611 Australian dollars)