RIYADH, 13 July 2004 — Banque Saudi Fransi reported a 30 percent increase in first-half net profit to SR761.5 million ($203 million) from the same period last year. The bank said in a statement posted on the official bourse Web site that its board recommended the distribution of dividends of eight riyals per share for the period. It said total assets grew eight percent to SR53.7 billion and that customer deposits increased 17 percent to SR43.8 billion.