Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 6,291m in the first quarter of 2023 with 13.7% return on equity.
Total assets amounted to ISK 1,501bn at the end of March, compared with ISK 1,470bn at the end of 2022. Loans to customers increased by 2.7% from year-end 2022. The increase was 4.5% in corporate lending and 1.1% in loans to individuals, mainly mortgages. Deposits from customers increased by 2.6% during the first quarter. Total equity amounted to ISK 180bn at the end of March. Total equity decreased from year-end due to a capital release of ISK 14.8bn which was partly offset by net earnings for the period.
The Group's capital ratio was 23.7% and the CET1 ratio 18.6%. The ratios are determined on the basis of the unaudited net earnings in the quarter and take into account the deduction of 50% of net earnings as foreseeable dividend in line with the Bank’s dividend policy, and ISK 0.9 billion of the outstanding buyback program that had been authorized by the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland (FSA). The Group's capital ratio, as calculated under the Financial Undertakings Act No. 161/2002, was 23.3% and the CET1 ratio was 18.3%. These ratios comfortably exceed the requirements made by the FSA and Icelandic law.
Benedikt Gíslason, CEO of Arion Bank:
“The first quarter financial results were in line with our expectations and we reached our key financial targets. Our core business continues to perform well and core income grew by 18% between years. The Bank’s capital and liquidity positions remain robust.
Arion Bank and our subsidiaries Vörður and Stefnir provide our customers with comprehensive financial services and offer the most diverse service offering of any financial institution in the country. Our revenue streams therefore come from a wide range of sources both on the retail and corporate sides of the business. Asset management and corporate services and advisory performed strongly during the quarter, with almost 75% of the Bank’s commission income originating from corporate services. Deposits grew strongly which provided a solid platform for our lending activities.
During the first few months of the year the financial markets were unsettled in both Europe and the United States. Furthermore, interest rates both in Iceland and internationally have climbed sharply over the past few months. We will of course closely monitor these developments and their impact on the Bank and our customers. As for the Bank’s capital and dividends, then our strategy remains unchanged, but we will nevertheless remain cautious and focus on maintaining our robust position.”
Arion Bank will be hosting a meeting at the Bank’s headquarters in Borgartún 19, Reykjavík, on Friday 5 May at 10:30 CEST / 8:30 GMT where CEO Benedikt Gíslason and CFO Ólafur Hrafn Höskuldsson will present the results and Chief Economist Erna Björg Sverrisdóttir will give an update on the economic environment. The meeting will take place in English and will also be streamed live.
The webcast will be accessible live on financialhearings.com and a link is also available on the Bank’s website under Investor Relations.
Participants attending virtually will be able to ask questions during the meeting through a message board, located below the video feed. Answers will be provided by presenters at the end of the webcast.
Arion Bank’s financial calendar is available on the Bank's website.
Q1 2023 - Press release Arion Bank
Q1 2023 Arion Bank Investor presentation
Arion Bank Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements 1 January-31 March 2023
Forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events and potential financial performance. The information in the release is based on company data available at the time of the release. Although Arion Bank believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The most important factors that may cause such a difference for Arion Bank include, but are not limited to: a) the macroeconomic development, b) change in inflation, interest rate and foreign exchange rate levels, c) change in the competitive environment and d) change in the regulatory environment and other government actions. This release does not imply that Arion Bank has undertaken to revise any forward-looking statements, beyond what is required by applicable law or applicable stock exchange regulations if and when circumstances arise that will lead to changes after the date when this release was made. Arion Bank assumes no responsibility or liability for any reliance on any of the information contained herein. It is prohibited to distribute or publish any information in this release without Arion Bank’s prior written consent.
07.02.2024
Arion Group posted solid financial results for 2023 which were in line with our targets. For the third year in succession, we reached all our key financial targets. Our unique and diverse service offering lays the foundations for a stable business.
More26.10.2023
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 6,131m in the third quarter of 2023 and ISK 19,513m during the first nine months of the year. Return on equity was 12.9% for the quarter and 13.9% for the first nine months.
More26.07.2023
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 7,091m in the second quarter of 2023 and ISK 13,382m during the first six months of the year. Return on equity was 15.5% for the quarter and 14.5% for the first six months.
More04.05.2023
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 6,291m in the first quarter of 2023 with 13.7% return on equity. Total assets amounted to ISK 1,501bn at the end of March, compared with ISK 1,470bn at the end of 2022
More08.02.2023
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 5,023m in the fourth quarter and ISK 25,416m for the year. Return on equity was 10.7% for the quarter and 13.7% for the year.
More26.10.2022
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 4,863m in the third quarter and ISK 20,393m during the first nine months of the year. Return on equity was 10.5% for the quarter and 14.8% for the first nine months.
More