Reuters
Komercni Banka's attributable net profit soared in the second quarter to its highest since the Czech lender's privatisation in the early 2000s as high interest rates boosted earnings. With inflation soaring, Czech interest rates have jumped in the past year, lifting the banking sector's profits even as risks build from the Ukraine conflict and a slowing economy, with price increases cutting into people's spending power. Komercni Banka, the country's third-biggest lender and majority owned by Societe Generale, said on Wednesday the banking sector would begin absorbing negative effects, but lending should continue growing above the market in upper mid-single digits.