** Shares of Pepper Money PPM.AX rise as much as 9.4% to A$1.81, their highest level since June 8, 2022

** Stock marks biggest intraday pct gain since late February

** Non-banking lender announces special dividend of 12.5 Au cents per fully paid ordinary share

** About 374,297 shares change hands, 1.3x the 30-day average

** Stock up ~27% YTD

(Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru)

((Sneha.kumar@thomsonreuters.com))