Performance of the NLB Group in 2015 – positive and stable; profit significantly bigger than planned
The NLB Group published today the unaudited results of operations for 2015. It generated a profit after tax of EUR 91.9 million. For the second consecutive year, results have been profitable and all the strategic members of the NLB Group generated profit. Today, NLB is capable of generating positive results in a stable and sustainable manner. Taking into consideration the increasingly demanding macroeconomic environment of low interest rates, the saturated banking market, and the growing non-banking competition, the profit is bigger than planned.
Year 2015 marked by an intensive service and distribution channel development cycle
The sales activities are the main drivers behind the higher performance of the NLB Group in the previous year. NLB increased the volume of loans to retail and corporate customers in the strategic segments.
Last year the Bank started an intensive service and distribution channel development cycle. The NLB was the first bank in the market that has launched the contactless cards and a label for contactless payments in combination with a prepaid card, credit card payments in 24 instalments and the mobile application Klikin, which makes it easier to access the banking services, including the new feature in the market, i.e. the users of this application can make payments by using their mobile phone directory.
In 2015 the Bank started to renovate the classical branches into open space units that allow a more comfortable communication with customers. 19 branches have been renovated and renewal of the entire sales network is planned for the next couple of years. The Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre opened its doors in 2015 for all entrepreneurs and those who will only become that. It is an intersection place in which the Bank integrates with other stakeholders who support this segment of the economy.
NLB has maintained its leading role in the restructuring of Slovene companies and organising syndicated loans. It has also been successful in issuing debt securities for Slovene companies.
All of the above reflects in customer satisfaction – NLB has the most satisfied customers in the retail segment and the level of customer satisfaction is also increasing in the corporate segment.
Significant reduction of the NPL volume
In 2015 the NLB Group improved the quality of assets and reduced the gross non-performing loans by EUR 727.9 (27.8%), bringing them below EUR 1.9 billion. At the end of 2015, the percentage of non-performing loans decreased from 25.1% in 2014 to 19.3%. Moreover, the portfolio of the non-core equity investments was also reduced.
NLB Corporate Communications