Royal Bank today continued the trend of rising bank earnings as Canada’s largest bank reported a 23% jump in its second-quarter results.

Bank said net income for the quarter ended April 30 was $1.12 billion, or 85¢ a share, up from $907 million, or 69¢ a share, a year earlier.

Income growth came despite a $35 million reduction in the value of the bank’s U.S. dollar-denominated earnings resulting from a stronger Canadian dollar, the bank said.

Revenue from continuing operations came in at $5.12 billion, up 9%, on higher wealth management and banking volumes, as well as record trading results.

“Each of our business segments delivered strong revenue and earnings growth this quarter,” said Gordon Nixon, Royal’s president and CEO, in a news release. “We also continued to build on our leadership position in Canada, and successfully expand our businesses in the U.S. and outside North America.”

Royal said its provision for bad loans rose $8 million to $124 million on growth in its personal loan and credit card portfolios and lower recoveries on its corporate and commercial loans.

The bank also declared a quarterly common share dividend of 36¢ a share, payable on Aug. 24 to shareholders of record on July 26.

Separately, the bank said it would renew its normal course issuer bid through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and to repurchase for cancellation up to 7 million common shares, representing approximately 0.5% of the bank’s outstanding common shares as at April 30, 2006.