SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge recorded a pre-tax profit of NOK 1,986 million for the
first half of 2026. This is NOK 192 million lower than in the corresponding
period of 2025. Group CEO Hanne Karoline Kræmer says this about the figures:
- I am pleased with the figures, as we have exceeded all our financial targets,
and the return on equity of 16.1 per cent is particularly encouraging. But I am
even more pleased with what lies behind the figures. Growth has levelled off in
Northern Norway as well, yet SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge continues to grow across all
business areas. This means that we are gaining market share from our
competitors. At the same time, our cost-reduction program is beginning to show
effects. We have reduced staffing by 40 full-time equivalents without using
severance packages. We are working in a disciplined manner and according to
plan, and we will continue to do so.
The financial statements show twelve-month growth of 9.2 per cent in the retail
market. The corresponding figure for the corporate market was 5.9 per cent.
- People in Northern Norway are choosing us. That is encouraging and tells me
that we are competitive. Even more encouraging is the resilience of the region's
business sector. With the exception of the construction industry, activity is
high across the board. We have previously been somewhat concerned about the
fisheries, but lower volumes have been offset by higher prices. We are now
seeing indications that fishing quotas will increase going forward, so perhaps
the bottom has been reached for this industry, which is so important to Northern
Norway.
The construction industry remains a concern.
- Too little is being built in Northern Norway, as in the rest of the country.
This is pushing up housing prices while the construction industry is struggling.
However, we are now seeing a decline in the number of bankruptcies in the
sector. This may indicate that there is light at the end of the tunnel,
particularly given that investment is expected to increase going forward,
especially in the defense sector.
Focus on social exclusion
During Arendalsuka, Kræmer, who chairs the Board of the SpareBank 1 Alliance,
highlighted the issue of social exclusion. She met Minister Kjersti Stenseng to
discuss how the savings banks can help more young people enter working life at
an early stage.
- This is first and foremost about people who deserve the opportunity to
contribute. Approximately 11,000 young people aged 18 to 29, in our region
alone, are currently neither in employment nor in education. But it is also
about the future of Northern Norway. As our population becomes smaller and
older, we must mobilise more of the people who already live here. Helping young
people find a way into working life is both sound social policy and necessary
labour-market policy. Northern Norway is performing well, but we will need more
people of working age. This initiative is therefore both important and a natural
step, and we both can and want to contribute, says Kræmer.
Key figures for the Group as of 30 June 2026:
o Pre-tax profit: NOK 1,986 million (2,178)
o Return on equity: 16.1% (19)
o Cost-income ratio: 33.8% (31.7)
o Loan losses: NOK 39 million (27)
o Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio: 16.9% (16.2%)
(Comparable figures for the same date in 2025 are shown in parentheses)
Contacts at SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge:
o Group CEO Hanne K. Kræmer, tel. +47 414 70 483
o CFO Bengt Olsen, tel. +47 975 89 560
o Head of Communications Morten Tønder Albertsen, tel. +47 901 21 173
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section
5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was
published by Morten Tønder Albertsen, Head of Communications at SpareBank 1
Nord-Norge, on August 13, 2026 at 07:30 CET.
der Albertsen\, Head of Communications at SpareBank 1\
Nord-Norge\, on August 13\, 2026 at 07:30 CET.\