MANAMA, 2 August 2006 — Arab Banking Corporation (BSC) yesterday announced the group’s net profit of $111 million for the first half of 2006. This marks an increase of 82 percent over the net profit of $61 million for the comparable period last year. Total income surged to $229 million (2005: $155 million). Interest income at $121 million was 39 percent higher than $87 million recorded in the same period last year benefiting from the higher interest rates and the gradual build up in lending activities.