DNBNOR - REPORT 3 Q 2006

DnB NOR: Pre-tax operating profits up 15.5 per cent, 12.2 per cent rise in total income DnB NOR`s pre-tax operating profits for the first nine months of the year totalled NOK 11 billion, up 15.5 per cent from the corresponding period in 2005. Total income grew by 12.2 per cent to NOK 20.9 billion. All business areas show improved performance. Attachment on www.newsweb.no DnB NOR`s pre-tax operating profits for the first nine months of the year totalled NOK 11 billion, up 15.5 per cent from the corresponding period in 2005. Total income grew by 12.2 per cent to NOK 20.9 billion. All business areas show improved performance. In terms of nominal profits, DnB NOR ranks among the top three large Nordic financial institutions in the third quarter as well as for the year to date. Key figures - January through September 2006: · Pre-tax operating profits were up 15.5 per cent to NOK 11.0 billion (NOK 9.5 billion) · Profits rose 17.7 per cent to NOK 8.4 billion (NOK 7.1 billion) · Expenses were scaled back to 49.9 per cent (51.1) of income · Return on equity was 18.8 per cent (17.9) · Earnings per share were NOK 6.21 (5.35) Key figures - third quarter 2006: · Pre-tax operating profits were NOK 3.6 billion (NOK 3.6 billion) · Profits were NOK 2.7 billion (NOK 2.7 billion) · Expenses represented 51.0 per cent (48.1) of income · Return on equity was 18.0 per cent (19.8) · Earnings per share were NOK 2.00 (2.03) (Figures for the corresponding period in 2005 in parentheses. Figures for the third quarter of 2005 include non-recurring gains of NOK 0.3 billion.) Comments by group chief executive Svein Aaser: `I am proud to have colleagues who in a challenging environment not only supply customers with good, competitive products, but also make sure that customer offerings are improved and operations streamlined. This provides a sound foundation for the further development of the DnB NOR Group. Still, I know that however good something is, there is or should always be room for improvement.` `The financial results achieved by DnB NOR should be a source of pride for employees and managers alike. Income is on the rise, and our costs are under control. However, pension costs have increased considerably due to changes in the calculation model. All business areas show improved performance. The Group`s distribution strength and broad product range have never been more evident.` `The Group is expanding both in and outside Norway. Our balance sheet is increasing by NOK 0.5 billion each day. Much of the expansion takes place in the corporate markets in Norway, the Baltic region and Poland, as well as in the global shipping market. DnB NOR has syndicated loans totalling NOK 36 billion in international markets thus far this year. In short, this demonstrates that DnB NOR is in the process of changing from a Norwegian financial services group with international operations to an international group based in Norway,` says group chief executive Svein Aaser. The quarterly report including tables can be downloaded from www.dnbnor.com Press release, third quarter report, presentation and Supplementary Information for Investors and Analysts can be found on www.newsweb.no