UPDATE 1-Lender SABB's Q4 up 65 pct on lower operating costs | Reuters

Saudi British Bank posted a 65-percent rise in quarterly profits on Monday, citing lower operating costs for the gains.

The lender, an affiliate of HSBC, said it had net income of 655 million riyals ($174.7 million) in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with 397 million riyals in the prior-year period.

Analysts had forecast average profit of 691 million riyals, according to a Reuters survey.

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