DNBNOR - DNB NOR IN FIRST QUARTER: PROFITS OF NOK 1.5 BILLION

· First-quarter profits up close to 50 per cent to NOK 1.5 http://www.newsweb.no/index.asp?melding_ID=92798 billion (NOK 1.0 billion in the first quarter last year) · Earnings per share: NOK 1.16 (NOK 0.78) · Return on equity before goodwill amortisation: 15.6 per cent (11.7) · Total income: NOK 6 476 million, of which NOK 977 million represented gains on the sale of Elcon Finans (NOK 5 174 million) Attachment on www.newsweb.no · First-quarter profits up close to 50 per cent to NOK 1.5 billion (NOK 1.0 billion in the first quarter last year) · Earnings per share: NOK 1.16 (NOK 0.78) · Return on equity before goodwill amortisation: 15.6 per cent (11.7) · Total income: NOK 6 476 million, of which NOK 977 million represented gains on the sale of Elcon Finans (NOK 5 174 million) · Operating expenses: NOK 4 278 million, of which NOK 930 million in restructuring provisions (NOK 3 327 million) · Loan losses: NOK 135 million (NOK 449 million) · Core capital ratio, including 50 per cent of profits for the quarter: 7.1 per cent (6.6) `I am very satisfied with the new group`s first quarter of operations,` says group chief executive Svein Aaser. `We have recorded sound profits, the merger process is on schedule, and we are fulfilling the requirements set by the Norwegian authorities when granting the concession.` `Work is progressing well throughout the Group and I commend our staff for their impressive efforts. I am pleased to note that income has gone up from the first quarter last year, while net interest income has been maintained at the fourth-quarter level despite pressure from declining interest rate levels. Losses are low, which confirms the healthy trend for the new group. Total cost savings resulting from the merger amount to NOK 170 million, of which NOK 77 million refers to the first quarter of 2004. The number of full-time positions was reduced by 329 during the quarter. The full effect of these staff cuts on cost savings will be realised later in the year,` says Svein Aaser. The first quarter report, including tables, can be downloaded from www.dnbnor.com Press release, first quarter report, presentation and Supplementary Information for Investors and Analysts can be found on www.newsweb.no.