Interim Results


SAMPO BANK GROUP'S INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-JUNE 2006
 
- Sampo Bank Group's profit before taxes for January-June rose to EUR 176 million (119)
- Net interest income increased 8 per cent to EUR 180 million (167)
- Rapid growth continued in fee and commission income
- Loans and advances to customers continued to grow and loan stock surpassed EUR 20 billion
- Credit quality remained firm
- Annualised RoE for Sampo Bank Group rose to 26.4 percent (17.9)
- Sampo Bank Group's total assets increased by 10 per cent from year end 2005 and amounted
 to EUR 25.6 billion (23.2) at June 30
 
 
KEY FIGURES
 
 
 
SAMPO BANK GROUP IN JANUARY - JUNE 2006
 
Investment services companies were transferred to the ownership of Sampo Bank plc on 30 December 2005. Therefore they are not included in the comparison figures for 2005.
 
Operating performance of Sampo Bank Group continued to improve and profit before taxes for the first six months rose to EUR 176 million (119). The improvement was largely derived from higher net interest and fee income. Annualised return on equity amounted to 26.4 per cent (17.9).
 
Net interest income grew to EUR 180 million (167) as good growth in lending volumes continued. Higher interest rates had positive impact on interest income and income from financial transactions. The pressure on housing loan margins has leveled off but lower margins on new loans still reduce the average lending margin.
 
Net fee and commission income increased clearly compared with first half of 2005 and rose to EUR 132 million (75). All fee and commission items developed favorably and good growth continued particularly in asset management and investment banking.
 
Total operating costs were EUR 225 million (198). In Finland costs grew roughly in-line with wage inflation. Cost-to-income ratio improved to 56.7 per cent (63.9).
 
 
Loans and advances to customers increased by 8 per cent from year-end 2005 and totalled EUR 20,003 million (18,484). Good growth in mortgages continued and mortgage stock grew year-on-year by 25 per cent in total and 21 per cent in Finland. Market growth in Finland during the same time period was 15 per cent. Sampo Bank's market share of Finnish housing loans increased to 15.8 per cent (15.0). Corporate lending grew by 13 per cent and corporate loan stock amounted to EUR 7,797 million. Consumer credits and other consumer loans grew rapidly by 17 and 36 per cent, respectively.
 
Geographically the Baltic countries continued to provide the fastest growth in both lending and deposits. The Baltic loan stock increased by 27 per cent from year-end 2005 to EUR 1,843 million (1,447). Despite the strong growth and investments in distribution, the Baltic operations are starting to show good profitability as RoE for Baltic banking stood at 16.0 per cent (15.7). The cost-to-income ratio of Baltic banking improved to 64.9 per cent (69.1). Sampo has already 33 banking branches in the Baltic countries and the number of customers has exceeded 200,000.
 
Credit quality remained firm while net impairment on loans and receivables was positive and added EUR 5 million (7) to the profit.
 
Sampo Bank's mutual fund assets amounted to EUR 10.0 billion. Increased market volatility during the second quarter impacted the breakdown of mutual fund assets as some investors decreased equity exposure and shifted their allocations towards less risky products. Sampo's market share of assets of mutual funds registered in Finland amounted to 19.1. Mutual fund assets include EUR 970 million of Sampo Group investments, representing 9.7 per cent of total assets.
 
Deposits amounted to EUR 12,286 million increasing 7 per cent from year end 2005 (11,442) and 15 per cent from June 2005 (10,722).
 
Part of the growth in banking operations was funded by issuing debt securities. The amount of debt securities in issue rose to EUR 8,678 million from EUR 7,621 million at year end and EUR 6,592 million at end of June 2005. Equity increased slightly to EUR 1,114 million (1,032) due to retained earnings.
 
 
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
 
The group's capital adequacy is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Credit Institutions, 9:72-81 and FSA's interpretation concerning own funds, number  3/125/2005.
 
EUR m
 
OWN FUNDS
30.6.2006
31.12.2005
30.6.2005
Tier 1 1)
1,281.6
1,255.1
1,040.5
Preferred capital notes
346.2
343.8
223.0
Tier 2
688.5
488.2
485.8
Unrealised gains included in the above
8.2
1.0
0.8
Deductions from own funds 2)
0.0
0.9
1.9
Items included in own funds to cover market risk
0.0
0.0
0.0
OWN FUNDS TOTAL
1,970.1
1,742.5
1,524.4
RISK-WEIGHTED ASSETS
18,070.5
16,466.2
15,438.5
Capital adequacy, %
- Own funds total/Risk-weighted assets (min. 8 %)
10.9%
10.6%
9.9%
- of which tier 1/Risk-weighted assets (min. 4 %)
7.1%
7.6%
6.7%
1)  Preferred capital securities amount to 27 per cent of own funds total at 30 June 2006.
2)  On 31 March,  2003, the Financial Supervision granted Sampo Bank an exemption, pursuant to the Act on Credit Institutions (75,5§), permitting the non-deduction from its capital investments in companies whose main business area is investment activity. The exemption remains valid until 31 December, 2006.
 
At the end of June, Sampo Bank Group's capital adequacy ratio was 10.9 per cent and the Tier 1 ratio was 7.1 per cent. At the end of 2005 the capital adequacy ratio was 10.6 per cent and the Tier 1 ratio 7.6 per cent. The total capital included in capital adequacy calculations amounted to EUR 1,970 million at the end of June (1,743). The Group's risk-weighted assets at the end of June totalled EUR 18,071 million (16,466).
 
The biggest change in the own funds is the debenture loan of EUR 200 million issued in May 2006 and included in Tier 2 capital. The most important factor in the growth of risk-weighted assets is the growth in lending.
 
The equity in the balance sheet is EUR 1,113.5 million. Own funds in the capital adequacy calculation are EUR 856.6 million bigger. The equity does not include the preferred capital securities and the Tier 2 debenture loans. On the other hand, the valuation of financial derivatives hedging  cash flows and belonging to fair value reserve in equity, are not included in the own funds in the capital adequacy calculation. In the capital adequacy calculation intangible assets and the planned dividend for the financial year have also been deducted from the own funds.
 
 
RATINGS
 
At 30 June 2006 Sampo Bank plc and its subsidiary AS Sampo Pank in Estonia had the following ratings.
 
 
At 3 April 2006 Moody's upgraded AS Sampo Pank's (Estonia) Financial Strength Rating (FSR) from D to D+ with stable outlook.
 
 
CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE
 
On 27 April 2006 Sampo Bank plc signed an agreement to acquire Industry and Finance Bank (Profibank) based in St. Petersburg. The closing of the transaction is subject to receiving necessary authority approvals.
 
 
STAFF
 
Sampo Bank Group had 4,457 (4,222) employees at 30 June 2006 (full-time-equivalent). Of the total staff 77 per cent was located in Finland and 23 per cent in the Baltics. The number of employees increased in the rapidly growing Baltic subsidiaries.
 
 
ADMINISTRATION
 
In the review period the Board of Sampo Bank had the following members: Björn Wahlroos (Chairman), Patrick Lapveteläinen, Ilkka Hallavo, Mika Ihamuotila and Maarit Näkyvä. Staff representatives were Raili Ikonen and Juhani Nyyssönen (deputy).
 
Mika Ihamuotila acts as Managing Director of Sampo Bank plc.
 
Ernst & Young Oy, a firm of Authorised Public Accountants, is the auditor of Sampo Bank plc with Tomi Englund, APA as the principally responsible auditor.


DEVELOPMENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
 
Sampo Bank plc sold in July 2006 its minority holding in Suomen Asiakastieto Oy, a credit information company. The sales gain of approx. EUR 16 million will be reported in the third quarter under segment Banking and investment services.
 
Sampo Bank plc will securitise approximately one billion euros of the exposure of corporate loans in its balance sheet. The reference portfolio consists of the loans of over 600 Finnish companies. By the transaction Sampo Bank can adjust its credit risk profile and release capital for future growth. Securitization will be implemented by a company established especially for this purpose.
 
 
OUTLOOK FOR THE WHOLE YEAR
 
Sampo Bank Group benefits from rising interest rates and its result is expected to be very good for 2006.
 
With current interest rates the Bank's earnings are foreseen to increase substantially. Further rate increases may, however, temporarily postpone the effect as the Bank's funding is of a shorter duration than its lending.
 
There are no signs of credit quality weakening.
 
Growth in fee income and a solid cost development are expected to continue.
 
Helsinki 10 August 2006
 
Sampo Bank plc
Board of Directors
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
The cash flow statement reports cash flows during the period classified by operating, investing and financing activities. Cash flows are reported by using the indirect method. Cash flows from operating activities derive primarily from the principal revenue-producing activities. Cash flows from investments in subsidiaries and associated undertakings and those from investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are presented in investing activities. Financing activities include cash flows resulting from changes in equity and borrowings in order to conduct the business. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and balances with central banks and and loans and advances to credit institutions repayable on demand.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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