SpareBank 1 SMN achieved a post-tax profit of NOK 1,119m in the first nine months compared with NOK 1,407m in the same period last year. The profit performance is affected by one-time effects in the third quarter. CET1 capital adequacy now stands at 13.2 per cent.
The accounts reflect sound profit on the bank's core business, low losses on loans, satisfactory growth in deposits and lending and increased financial strength. Profit is reduced compared with the same period last year. This is mainly due to one-time effects such a capital loss on the bank's bond portfolio and reorganisation costs at BN Bank of which SpareBank 1 SMN is co-owner.
SpareBank 1 SMN's capital plan has targeted a CET1 capital ratio of at least 13.5 per cent by 30 June 2016. The level as of the third quarter 2015 is 13.2 per cent, an increase of 1.7 percentage points compared with the same point in time last year. The bank has no plans to issue equity capital, and the board of directors expect other measures to be sufficient to attain the capital target.
Strengthened market position
"We are well satisfied with the result for the core business, and the level of losses and non-performance remains very low. Activity is high throughout the group, and we have strengthened our position as the leading bank in Trøndelag and in Møre and Romsdal. We are increasing our market shares, and are delighted by 9,100 new retail customers and 1,250 new corporate customers who have joined us over the course of the past year," says CEO Finn Haugan at SpareBank 1 SMN.
"With our acquisition of mCash we are taking a clear position both in friend-to-friend payments and mobile payments in shops and online. We are accordingly well prepared to meet digital customer needs in the future", says Finn Haugan.
First nine months' accounts 2015 - key figures:
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Pre-tax profit: NOK 1,389m (1,709m at end-September 2014)
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Post-tax profit: NOK 1,119m (1,407m)
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Return on equity: 11.5% (16.1%)
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Growth in lending: 8.3% (5.4%)
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Growth in deposits: 9.5% (8.5%)
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Loan losses: NOK 112m (55m)
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CET1 capital ratio: 13.2% (11.5%)
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Earnings per equity certificate: NOK 5.57 (6.97)
Increased net interest income
Net interest income totalled NOK 1,399m in the year's first nine months, an increase of NOK 94m from the same period last year. The increase is mainly due to higher lending volume and higher deposit margins. Lending margins were reduced as a result of increased competition. Commission income and other operating income totalled NOK 1,168m, an increase of NOK 28m compared with the same period last year.
Good growth in home mortgage lending
SpareBank 1 SMN increased its lending to retail customers by 8.7 per cent to NOK 78.9bn in the 12 months to end-September. This growth is higher than the general level of credit growth and the bank has strengthened its market position. The rate of growth quickened in the third quarter.
Lending to corporates increased by 7.8 per cent to NOK 47.3bn. After high growth at the end of 2014, growth thus far in 2015 comes to 2.1 per cent. This is in keeping with the bank's capital plan.
The parent bank reduced costs by NOK 26m in the 12 months to end-September. Adjusted for the organisation change at SpareBank 1 Markets, costs are at the same level as one year ago. The board of directors decided in autumn 2014 on new targets for the bank's cost trend, entailing zero growth in nominal costs in 2015 and 2016.
Low losses
The bank has low losses and low defaults. Net losses measure 0.12 per cent of total outstanding loans. The low loss and default figures reflect both the macroeconomy of Trøndelag and Møre and Romsdal and the quality of the bank's lending process and customer follow up.
The bank has none the less opted to increase its collectively assessed loss write-downs to make allowance for increased uncertainty, in particular in oil-related activity. The bank has extraordinary attention focused on risk in the bank's loans, in particular loans to oil-related activity. Beyond offshore vessels, direct exposure to this sector is low.
Trondheim, 30 October 2015
Contact persons at SpareBank 1 SMN:
Group CEO Finn Haugan on +47 900 41 002
Executive Vice President, Finance, Kjell Fordal on +47 905 41 672
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Hans Tronstad on +47 941 78 322
About SpareBank 1 SMN
SpareBank 1 SMN is the region's leading financial services group. It is the market leader in the retail and corporate segments, with a total of 49 offices located at 42 sites across the region's municipalities.
We aim to be the recommended bank for customers in Trøndelag and in Møre and Romsdal. Being a local, independent savings bank we feel a special responsibility for stimulating growth and prosperity in the region. We base our business on closeness to our customers, good accessibility, a full product range and comprehensive financial advisory services.
Our head office is located in Trondheim. The Group employs about 1,200 full-time equivalents and includes the following subsidiaries: SpareBank 1 SMN Finans Midt-Norge, EiendomsMegler 1 Midt-Norge, Allegro Finans and SpareBank 1 Regnskapshuset SMN. SpareBank 1 SMN is the largest shareholder in BN Bank with a 33% stake.
SpareBank 1 SMN is one of six owners of SpareBank 1 Gruppen. For further information, visit our website at www.smn.no.
http://quarterlyreport.smn.no/2015/
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Source: SpareBank 1 SMN via Globenewswire
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