Country’s biggest PSU lender State Bank of India (SBI) has registered a 26.1 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 1,883.2 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2008 as against Rs 1,493.19 crore a year ago.

While, the Interest earned for the quarter climbed 17.63% to Rs 135,767.30 million and total income for the quarter rose 13.56% to Rs 163,939.30 million, when compared with the prior year period.

The bank posted earnings of Rs 35.43 a share during the quarter, registering 24.89% growth over same period last year.

In a separate release, the board has recommended a dividend of 215% at the rate of Rs 21.50 for 2007-08, on every share of face value of Rs 10 held.

The Mumbai-based bank, with over 10,000 branches nationwide, in March raised over four billion dollars through a share rights issue.

Shares of the company gained Rs 45.8, or 2.58%, to settle at Rs 1822.15. The total volume of shares traded was 466,972 at the BSE. (Friday)