Result for the first quarter of the year 26 % better than 1999
Advance information on MeritaNordbanken's operating profit for the first quarter: Result for the first quarter of the year 26% better than the respective figure in the first quarter of 1999 Operating profit for the first quarter of 2000 improved to 472 million euro (SEK 4 billion). The above information was given by Hans Dalborg, President and Chief Executive Officer, in his address to shareholders at today's Annual General Meeting of Nordic Baltic Holding (NBH) AB (publ). Return on equity amounted to 23.1 percent in the first quarter of 2000, which exceeded the level of 20.9 percent reached in 1999. Operational profit increased by 26 percent compared to the previous year and with deductions in connection with the sales of Pohjola shares amounting to 114 million euro. Operating profit does not include writedowns of 40 million euro resulting from the sales of Aleksia. Neither does it include compensation from the pension foundation expected to take place during the year. Both net interest income and net commission income increased substantially. Net commission income increased by over 40 percent compared to the corresponding period in 1999 and it was at a good level compared to the excellent result reached in the last quarter of 1999. Cost development is under strict control and credit losses remained at a low level. Profit per share was 0.16 euro calculated for the first quarter of the year. This is equivalent to SEK 1.35. th The ordinary quarterly report will be published on the 28 of April 2000. Further information: Arne Liljedahl, Chief Financial Officer, +46 70 566 71 21 Björn Westberg, Investor Relations, +46 70 590 55 52 Lars Thalén, Group Identity and Communications, +46 70 920 06 65 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/11/20000411BIT00820/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/11/20000411BIT00820/bit0002.pdf