Arab National Bank, Saudi Arabia's seventh-largest lender by assets, reported on Thursday a 6.4 per cent rise in second-quarter net profit, beating analysts' forecasts.

Net profit in the three months to June 30 was SR835.3 million ($222.8 million), compared to SR785.4 million in the same period last year, it said in a bourse statement.

Six analysts surveyed by Reuters on average forecast the bank to post a net profit of SR824.8 million for the quarter.

Arab National Bank is 40 per cent owned by Jordan's largest lender Arab Bank. - Reuters