National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) said Wednesday cash earnings per diluted share in the fiscal first half rose to AU$1.145 from AU$1.12 per diluted share a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Visible Alpha expected cash EPS of AU$1.11.

On a statutory basis, diluted EPS was AU$1.092, compared with AU$1.104 a year earlier.

Net interest income in the six months ended March 31 was AU$8.45 billion, up from AU$8.4 billion in the year-earlier period, the bank said. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha expected AU$8.41 billion.

Revenue from ordinary activities rose 1.1% year over year to AU$10.28 billion. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha expected AU$10.36 billion.

The board declared an interim ordinary dividend of AU$0.85 per share, payable on July 2 to shareholders of record as of May 13.