Laurentian Bank profit up 71 percent

(Reuters) - Laurentian Bank of Canada's (LB.TO: Quote) fourth-quarter profit rose 71 percent on loan growth and it raised its quarterly dividend.

Laurentian, Canada's eighth-largest bank by market capitalization, reported profit of C$45.7 million, or C$1.51 per share, compared with C$26.7 million, or 99 Canadian cents per share, a year earlier.

Total revenue rose 15 percent to C$210.4 million

Montreal-based Laurentian increased its quarterly dividend by 2 Canadian cents to 49 Canadian cents per share.

(Reporting by Maneesha Tiwari in Bangalore; Editing by Anil D'Silva)