MANAMA, 1 August 2007 — Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corporation (ABC) announced net profit of $143 million for the first half of 2007, an increase of 29 percent over the net profit of $111 million for the comparable period last year. Total income reached $305 million compared to $229 million in 2006. Interest income at $134 million was 11 percent higher than the $121 million for the same period last year as a result of increased loan and securities volumes.