KUALA LUMPUR: PUBLIC BANK BHD [] group surpassed the RM1 billion mark for the first time by recording pre-tax profit of RM1.05 billion in the third quarter ended Aug 31, 2010, up 22.7% from RM856.51 million a year ago.

"This represents a strong growth of 7% as compared to the pre-tax profit of RM982 million in the second quarter of 2010," it said on Monday, Oct 18.

Net profit of RM782.70 million in the third quarter ended Aug 31, 2010, up 22.4% from RM639.04 million a year ago. It did not declare any dividends for the quarter.

Revenue was RM2.877 billion versus RM2.438 billion a year ago. Earnings per share were 22.35 sen versus 18.52 sen. Earnings per share were 22.35 sen compared with 18.52 sen.

For the nine-months ended Aug 31, it recorded pre-tax profit of RM2.96 billion, an increase of 22% from RM2.42 billion the previous corresponding period.

Over the same period, the Group recorded a net profit of RM2.20 billion, 20% higher as compared to RM1.84 billion achieved in the corresponding period in 2009.