Banco Santander Q1 Profit Climbs On Higher Net Interest Income - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Banco Santander S.A. (BNC.L, BSBR, SAN), a Spanish retail and commercial bank, reported Wednesday that its first-quarter attributable profit increased 14.3 percent to 1.87 billion euros from last year's 1.63 billion euros. Earnings per share grew 13.6 percent to 0.122 euros from 0.108 euros a year ago.

All regions, except Poland, posted higher attributable profit. Brazil generated 34 percent higher profit.

The bank's profit before taxes climbed 21.2 percent from last year to 3.31 billion euros.

Gross income in the quarter climbed 12.1 percent to 12.03 billion euros.

Net interest income grew 10.2 percent to 8.40 billion euros from last year's 7.62 billion euros. Net operating income was 6.49 billion euros, up 16.4 percent from 5.57 billion euros a year ago.

Further, the company said its board approved the payment of a fourth dividend in cash of €0.055 per share to be paid as of May 2, bringing the total shareholder remuneration in 2016 to €0.21 per share.

It is the board's intention to increase the dividend per share to be charged to 2017 earnings up to €0.22 euros per share, and so it will be proposed at the 2018 AGM.