** Shares of Australia's Plenti Group PLT.AX rise as much as 6.5% to A$1.48, their highest since October 9
** The fintech lender posts first-half cash profit before tax of A$14.1 million ($9.16 million), a nearly 147% increase from last year
** Co reports fourth consecutive quarter of record loan originations at A$475 million, a 47% increase against the prior corresponding period
** YTD, Plenti stock up 114.7%
($1 = 1.5389 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)
((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))