Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- National Bank of Kenya Ltd., a state owned lender, net income in the nine months to Sept. 30 climbed 8.9 percent as loans advanced, it said in an advertisement in Nairobi-based Daily Nation today.

Net profit climbed to 972.87 million shillings or 3.59 shillings per share from 893.62 million shillings or 3.19 shillings per share, the year earlier.

Net interest income, the money lender make from loans, advanced to 2.49 billion shillings from 2.32 billion shillings, the company said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Ombok in Nairobi at eombok@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 5, 2009 23:43 EST