Banque de Tunisie first-half net grows 15 pct

TUNIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Banque de Tunisie BT.TN, Tunisia's fourth-largest bank by assets, said on Thursday its first half net profit rose 15 percent after strong gains in interest and commissions.

Net profit climbed to 27.9 million dinars ($22.66 million) for January-to-June versus 24.2 million dinars a year earlier.

Revenue grew 11 percent to 63.7 million dinars. Interest income was 71.9 million, up from 63.5 million dinars, according to figures published on the Tunis bourse Web site.

The bank has said it expects revenue to rise by 10 percent for full-year 2008 and sees net income almost flat at 83 million dinars.

Its shares rose 2.2 percent to 116 dinars in Tunis, while the wider benchmark index .TUNINDEX climbed 0.9 percent. (Reporting by Sonia Ounissi; editing by Rory Channing)