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Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) Westpac Bank’s first half net profit has soared 10 per cent on year to $3.3 billion.
For the six months to March 31, Westpac posted cash earnings of $3.525 billion, also a 10 per cent increase on the $3.195 billion recorded for the same period a year ago.
The lender announced a fully-franked interim dividend of 86 cents - four cents more than the previous corresponding period.
In addition, Westpac will pay a fully-franked special dividend of 10 cents.
Both the interim dividend and special dividend will be paid on July 2.
Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly says the lender remains focused on managing the business in a disciplined way in the current environment.
Ms Kelly says all of the bank’s Australian businesses produced double-digit cash earnings growth compared to the same period last year.
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