UNITED Overseas Bank posted record earnings for a consecutive quarter, which brought the earnings for the first six months to a record $1.5 billion.

Its second-quarter net earnings rose 10 per cent from the same period a year ago from $713 million to $783 million, driven by higher net interest income, increased associate's profits and lower impairment charges.

It reported a record net interest income which exceeded $1 billion in the three months to June 30, as the group's loans portfolio grew 3 per cent to $173 billion.

The board has declared an interim cash dividend of 20 cents per share.