Axis Bank on Thursday reported a lower-than-expected rise in its quarterly profit as the loan growth slowed and it set aside more funds against potential bad loans. The standalone net profit, excluding earnings of its subsidiaries, rose 3.8% to Rs 6,303.77 crore for the quarter ended December, compared with Rs 6,071.1 crore a year ago. Interest income rose 10.7% to Rs 30,954 crore while the net interest income grew 8.6% year-on-year to Rs 13,606 crore, compared with Rs 12,532 crore. The net interest margin for the quarter under review stood at 3.93%. The operating profit grew 15% to Rs 10,534 crore. The core operating profit rose 14% YoY to Rs 10,102 crore.