Nairobi, Aug. 27 -- HFCB Plc Group has reported a 59.9 percent increase in profit after tax for the half-year period ended June, driven by higher earnings from lending and other banking activities.

The mid-tier lender's net profit rose to Sh998.3 million in the six months from Sh624.3 million in the corresponding period last year.

The firm, whose shares are publicly traded on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), said net interest income increased 29.4 percent to Sh2.64 billion from Sh2.04 billion, reflecting stronger earnings from loans and advances as well as investments in government securities.

Non-interest income, on the other hand, grew 37.4 percent to Sh1.16 billion from Sh844.3 million, giving the group a further boost as it w...