"The good result is primarily attributable to income from financial investments of NOK 269 million, compared with a loss of NOK 111 million in third quarter 2008. Income from sales of products and services to our customers has remained at the same level as in 2008," says CEO of the Bank, Hans Olav Karde. Another important factor is that costs are under control, having been reduced by 3.9 per cent compared with 2008.

 

The figures for the third quarter indicate good underlying banking operations and low losses on loans, taking into account the current macro-economic situation.

 

"Lending growth in the retail market has risen. The deposit-to-loan ratio of 69.3 per cent indicates that our customers are confident in the financial strength of the Bank. The return on equity after tax was 15.8 per cent, compared with 7.8 per cent last year," adds Mr Karde.

 

• Operating result before tax for the third quarter totalled NOK 671 million (NOK 375 million).
  • Return on Equity Capital after tax was 15.8 per cent (7.8 per cent).
  • Result per Equity Certificate so far this year (parent bank): NOK 10.51 (NOK 5.56).
• The underlying banking operations remain good. The result from core operations before credit losses amounted to NOK 543 million (555 million).
• The Group's subsidiaries made a total contribution of NOK 19 million towards the overall result so far this year.
• Net result from financial investments totalled NOK 269 million (NOK -111 million).  
  • The contribution to the overall result from SpareBank 1 Gruppen AS amounted to NOK 139 million (NOK 49 million).
  • Amortisation of net lesser value in connection with the acquisition of BNbank ASA, NOK 6 million. BNbank's contribution towards the overall result at the end of the third quarter, NOK 18 million. The Bank's share of SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt's result totalled NOK 9 million.
  • Net gain from the Bank's share portfolio included in the accounts totalled NOK 34 million.
  • Gains on interest-bearing portfolio (including related financial derivatives transactions) amounted to NOK 23 million.
  • Income from other foreign exchange and financial derivatives and assets totalled NOK 34 million.
• Cost performance under control, with a reduction of NOK 28 million or 3.9 per cent compared with the same interim period in 2008. Cost-income ratio: 46.2 per cent (62.0 per cent).
• Low losses on loans in light of the macro-economic situation: Net losses totalled NOK 141 million (NOK 69 million).
• Lending growth in the private market has risen. Total lending growth during the last 12 months (including loans transferred to SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt): 5.6 per cent (9.0 per cent).
  • Private market: 8.8 per cent (incl. SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt).
  • Corporate banking market: -0.9 per cent.
• The accounts show a reduction in lending over the last 12 months of 2.0 per cent (3.0 per cent).
• Development of deposits remains very good: Growth in deposits in the last 12 months: 6.6 per cent (6.1 per cent).
• Deposit-to-loan ratio: 69.3 per cent (63.8 per cent).
• The Bank has good financial strength with a core capital coverage ratio (group) of 10.1 per cent (9.3 per cent).
• Liquidity remains satisfactory.

More detailed information about the Group's operations may be found in the attached reports.

 

Any questions may be directed to Hans Olav Karde, CEO, telephone 901 51 981, or to Deputy CEO Oddmund Aasen, telephone 906 72 757. Reference is also made to the Bank's home page: www.snn.no

 

 

SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge is a leading provider of financial products and services to the retail banking- and corporate markets and to the public sector in the region.  The Bank has an aggregate customer base of some 244,000 retail banking customers, about 36,500 corporate customers, including public sector entities, clubs and association, and approximately 101,000 insurance product customers.  The Bank has 81 branches in Finnmark, Troms, Nordland and on Svalbard (Spitzbergen).  SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge has its own representative office in Murmansk and is a shareholder in the Russian bank, Tavrichesky OJSC, whose head office is located in St. Petersburg.