2012-02-01 15:47:59 -
SpareBank 1 SMN posted a net profit NOK 1,024m in 2012, an improvement of NOK
2m compared with the previous year.
The Board of Directors recommends the Supervisory Board to set a cash dividend
of NOK 2.00 per equity capital certificate for 2011.
The annual accounts reflect well-run core business, positive income growth, low
losses, high return on financial assets, a strong financial position, very good
lending growth in the retail market and high growth in household and corporate
deposits alike.
"We are gratified by the good profit achieved by the bank in 2011 and by the
fact that this is due to solid banking and high financial return. We note a good
supply of customers, with net growth of 3,600 new retail customers and 600 new
corporate customers last year.
SpareBank 1 SMN strengthened its market leader
position in Trøndelag and in Møre and Romsdal over the course of the year", says
Group CEO Finn Haugan at SpareBank 1 SMN.
Net interest income came to NOK 1,281m, an increase of NOK 71m. The increase is
mainly due to higher lending and deposit volumes, increased commissions and the
fact that banks are exempt from payment of levies to the Banks' Guarantee Fund
for 2011.
Strong growth in home mortgage loans
Overall growth in lending to the retail market was 10.9% in the last 12 months
compared with general household credit growth of 7.3%, according to Statistics
Norway. High growth is in evidence throughout the market area, with particularly
good net customer growth in Trondheim.
SpareBank 1 SMN retains its solid position in the corporate market with 5.7%
growth in lending. Here too the bank is gaining new market shares, as reflected
by Statistics Norway figures showing a general growth of 5.3% in the same
period.
Net loan losses amounted to NOK 27m in 2011 compared with NOK 132m in 2010. Net
losses measure only 0.03% of total outstanding loans. No reason has been found
to revise collectively assessed write-downs. Moreover, the bank's subsidiaries
show sound growth and sound profitability.
High activity levels in the bank and the subsidiaries EiendomsMegler 1 Midt-
Norge and SpareBank 1 SMN Regnskap produced higher costs compared with the
previous year.
Preliminary annual accounts 2011 - highlights:
· Profit before tax: NOK 1,279m (NOK 1,282m in 2010)
· Profit after tax: NOK 1,024m (NOK 1,022m)
· Return on equity: 12.8% (14.6%)
· Growth in lending: 8.6% (13.2%)
· Growth in deposits: 11.9% (14.9%)
· Loan losses: NOK 27m (NOK 132m)
· Tier 1 capital adequacy: 10.4% (10.9%)
· Earnings per equity capital certificate: NOK 6.61 (NOK 6.43)
· Recommended dividend per equity capital certificate: NOK 2.00 (NOK 3.00)
SpareBank 1 SMN's total assets as of the fourth quarter are NOK 123.5bn,
including loans transferred to the part-owned SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt.
Equity capital to be strengthened
The Board of Directors of SpareBank 1 SMN proposes to carry out an equity
capital increase of up to NOK 1,010m.
This will be done through an underwritten rights issue of up to NOK 750m in
favour of existing ECC-holders, a private placing of up to NOK 60m with
employees of the Group and board members of the bank, and a private placing of
up to NOK 200m mainly with the foundation Sparebankstiftelsen SpareBank 1 SMN.
The bank intends through these issue proposals to strengthen core capital and
the financial basis for profitable growth and for exploiting business potentials
in its market area. The bank considers it valuable for employees of the group
and the bank's directors to have the opportunity to subscribe for equity capital
certificates through a private placing. A private placing with the foundation
will be in keeping with bank's strategy behind the establishment of
Sparebankstiftelsen SpareBank 1 SMN.
SpareBank 1 SMN's objective is a tier 1 capital ratio of 11%, a target that was
revised in autumn 2011 in light of the forthcoming increase in regulatory
capital requirements. The planned stock issues are expected to raise the tier 1
ratio to 11.6%.
Trondheim, 1 February 2012
Contact persons at SpareBank 1 SMN:
Group CEO Finn Haugan on +47 900 41 002
Chief Financial Officer 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 leads the
retail and corporate market, and is positioned in 43 localities across the
region's municipalities with a total of 54 offices.
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 in Trondheim. The Group employs about 1,100 staff and
includes the following subsidiaries: SpareBank 1 SMN Finans, EiendomsMegler 1
Midt-Norge, Allegro Finans and SpareBank 1 SMN Regnskap. It 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.
Preliminary annual accounts 2011 :
quarterlyreport.smn.no/
Supplementary information:
hugin.info/144/R/1581848/494149.pdf
Presentation:
hugin.info/144/R/1581848/494147.pdf
Report:
hugin.info/144/R/1581848/494148.pdf
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Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: SpareBank 1 SMN via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1581848]
