The Board of Directors of BankNordik has approved the enclosed financial statements for the third quarter of 2011. It shows a profit for the first three quarters of DKK 71m before value adjustments and tax compared to a loss of DKK 40m (excluding the divestment of Bakkafrost) for the same period last year. Before one-off expenses in connection with the integration of Amagerbanken of DKK 35m the result was DKK 106m.
The improvement in the third quarter is primarily due to the expansion of the Danish banking activities through the addition of the healthy parts of Amagerbanken. In addition, an improved interest margin and a reduction of the external financing contributed to the performance.
Earnings are improving – including in Denmark
During 2011, the core earnings have increased from DKK 28m in the first quarter to DKK 62m in the third quarter, including impairment charges.
With the acquisition of the healthy parts of Amagerbanken in July this year the Bank increased its activities in Denmark significantly. This has caused an improvement of DKK 22m of the result from the banking operations in Denmark in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter, when excluding one-off items related to the integration of Amagerbanken.
Additionally, the acquisition of Amagerbanken has contributed positively to BankNordik’s deposit surplus, just as the acquisition provided access to a wide range of new customers, offering a basis for an increased business volume.
"We are pleased with the result and with the fact that the increased activities in Denmark influenced the accounts positively. This is achieved despite the generally lower economic activity and the costs for the integration of Amagerbanken," says Janus Petersen, CEO of BankNordik, a well capitalised Nordic bank.
The acquisition of Amagerbanken has increased BankNordik’s deposit surplus, which stood at DKK 2 billion at the turn of the quarter. It gives the bank a favourable cash position in credit markets characterized by uncertainty and turbulence. It has also facilitated a premature DKK 500m reduction of the bank's funding.
BankNordik’s solvency ratio was calculated at 15% and the solvency requirement at 9.0% at the end of the third quarter of 2011. The Bank's policy is to maintain a high solvency – significantly exceeding the requirement.
The integration of Amagerbanken is on schedule
Since the takeover of the healthy parts of Amagerbanken from 1 July 2011 BankNordik has merged some of the branches to larger and more profitable units and streamlined the organization in Denmark. As part of the ongoing integration the name of the branches will change to BankNordik later in November in order for the Bank to appear as one integrated bank.
"The name change will give us better opportunities to position BankNordik on the Danish market as a strong nationwide local bank with a solid financial foundation and close relationships with the customers," says Janus Petersen.
BankNordik’s acquisition of the healthy parts of Amagerbanken in the early summer was part of the bank’s strategy of controlled growth and strong local presence in the market. It has guided BankNordik’s significant development during recent years. The strategy is based on a close relationship with customers, tight credit control and focus on profitability in all activities.
Expects continued growth
BankNordik’s management maintains its previously announced expectations for 2011, i.e. a profit of DKK 50m-80m after one-off costs of DKK 95m in connection with the acquisition and integration of Amagerbanken, and before tax, value adjustments and any additional sector costs for the remaining part of the year.
Going forward, the increased activities in Denmark are expected to contribute significantly to the Bank's results. The consolidation of the bank's Danish operations on a common IT platform is scheduled for early 2012. Thus, the full advantage of the synergies can be achieved in the second half of the year, and the full-year impact will occur in 2013. One-time expenses in connection with the integration of Amagerbanken are expected to amount to DKK 30m-50m in 2012.
Additional information
Janus Petersen, CEO, phone +298 230 340
John Rajani, Deputy CEO, phone +298 230 352
Árni Ellefsen, CFO, phone +298 230 348
Investor Relations: ir@banknordik.fo
BankNordik was founded over 100 years ago in the Faroe Islands. The Group has banking activities in Denmark and Greenland and the Faroe Islands and insurance activities on the Faroe Islands and Iceland. The Bank has a balance of DKK 19 billion and 630 employees. The Bank is subject to the Danish Financial Services Authority and is participating in the Danish deposit guarantee fund. BankNordik is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen.
BankNordik-Group
Key figures
| Million DKK | Q1-3 2011 | Q1-3 2010 | 2010 |
| Net income | 543 | 479 | 644 |
| Staff and administrative expenses | 393 | 297 | 408 |
| Impairment charges on loans | 58 | 191 | 208 |
| Profit before value adjustments, and tax | 71 | -40* | 16 |
| Total assets | 18,908 | 15,717 | 14,259 |
| Loans and advances | 11,949 | 8,549 | 8,675 |
| Deposits and other debts | 13,955 | 9,254 | 8,844 |
| Due to credit institutions and central banks | 884 | 3,487 | 2,445 |
| Total shareholders’ equity | 2,037 | 1,979 | 2,043 |
| Solvency ratio | 15.0% | 17.1% | 17.0% |
| Excess cover relative to statutory liquidity requirements | 149% | 338% | 293% |
*Excluding the divestment of Bakkafrost.
Further information may be found in the Interim Report.
