DNB's results for 2nd quarter 2014

“As a result of the strong profits achieved in the second quarter, we are on schedule to fulfil the capital requirements for banks. The rise in profits from the second quarter of 2013 reflects higher lending volumes, wider lending spreads, reduced restructuring expenses and lower impairment losses on loans,” says Rune Bjerke, group chief executive.

Higher lending volumes boost interest income
Net interest income rose by NOK 387 million from the second quarter of 2013. Impairment losses on loans and guarantees came to NOK 554 million for the quarter, significantly lower than the NOK 937 million recorded in the second quarter of 2013, but higher than in the two preceding quarters. Lower impairment losses on loans to large corporates and international businesses were the main reason behind the reduction in impairment from the second quarter of 2013. The increase from the first quarter of 2014 reflected reduced reversals on both previous individual impairment losses and collective impairment losses. There was a continued positive trend in new impairment losses.

DNB’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.1 per cent at end-June 2014, including 50 per cent of interim profits. If DNB had been able to report based on the Swedish authorities’ regulations, the Group could have reported a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of as much as 17.3 per cent.

“DNB is now among the best capitalised banks in the world. This provides vital security for both customers, employees and shareholders. During the quarter, DNB was also classified as a systemically important bank by the Norwegian authorities, which emphasises the importance of being present for individuals, companies and local communities throughout Norway. This classification also entails an additional own funds requirement for systemically important banks, which means that we must continue to increase our equity considerably in order to reach the target,” says Bjerke.

Narrower lending spread than in the previous quarter
Average lending spreads narrowed from 2.42 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 to 2.39 per cent in the second quarter, while deposit spreads improved somewhat, from -0.29 per cent to -0.27 per cent. Operating expenses were reduced by 7.6 per cent from the year-earlier period, mainly due to restructuring expenses in 2013, while the cost/income ratio was 43.8 per cent, well below the 45 per cent target.

“The increase in the bank’s lending volumes is a positive sign, especially with respect to small and medium-sized enterprises. This could mean that the economic downturn Norway has experienced over the past year, is more moderate than many feared. Petroleum investment will probably decline slightly in the period ahead, but is expected to remain at a high level. However, the recent rise in housing prices, along with continued income growth in the household sector and low real interest rates, will probably contribute to a new upturn in housing investment. The significant rise in public administration investment is another factor that could cause renewed growth in mainland investment next year,” says Bjerke.

Key figures for the second quarter of 2014

• Pre-tax operating profit before impairment was NOK 6.7 billion (6.1)
• Profit for the period was NOK 4.7 billion (3.8)
• Earnings per share were NOK 2.86 (2.33)
• Return on equity was 12.7 per cent (11.6)
• The ordinary cost/income ratio was 43.8 per cent (48.0)

Comparable figures for the second quarter of 2013 in parentheses.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Contact person:
Thomas Midteide, group executive vice president, Corporate Communications, tel.: + 47 962 32 017