August 1, 2024
Pursuant to the Rules of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange and Article 158 of the Market Financial Instruments Act, relating to the Article 17 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, NLB d.d., Trg republike 2, 1000 Ljubljana, announces:
In the Eventful Second Quarter, NLB Group Reaches EUR 152.0 Million in Result After Tax
The second quarter of 2024 was eventful and successful for NLB Group. Vivid lending dynamics, a stable and improving business environment in the South-eastern European (SEE) region where the Group operates, and strong operational trends were reflected in the EUR 152.0 million in Result After Tax, a 9% quarterly growth. Based on successful capital market activity in 2024, and with a focus and attention on prudent management of the NII sensitivity, the NLB Group remains well positioned for future growth - an optimistic view further enhanced by some important milestones that marked the past few months.
"Behind us is truly a very dynamic second quarter not only for the NLB Group but also for the markets in our home region that have shown a strengthening of economic activity. This has been especially reflected in the strong lending of the Group, with gross loans to customers growing by 5% year to date, with especially solid developments in the retail segment," commented NLB's CEO Blaž Brodnjak upon the publication of the results. "Furthermore, in the last couple of months, we have taken some steps that will significantly mark the operations of the NLB Group in the coming medium-term period," he added.
In the beginning of May 2024, NLB Group introduced its new Business Strategy until the year 2030. The strategy stipulates that the Group's ambition remains to create sustainable growth to support individuals and businesses and foresees a doubling of the NLB Group balance sheet (more than EUR 50 billion assets), recurring revenues of more than EUR 2 billion, and targeted profit of more than EUR 1 billion by 2030 (combining organic growth with selected M&As).
Shortly after this announcement (on 7 June 2024), NLB took up one of the initial opportunities in line with the new strategy by launching an all-cash voluntary public takeover offer aimed at acquiring control over Addiko Group for all issued and outstanding Addiko shares for an initial consideration of EUR 20.00 per Addiko share on a cum dividend basis. On 15 July 2024, NLB Board decided to increase the Share Offer Price to EUR 22.00 per Addiko share on a cum dividend basis. The Offer is open for acceptance until 16 August 2024, and the Bank encourages all shareholders of Addiko to tender their shares.
Other important milestones were reached in the development of the Group: after obtaining all relevant approvals, NLB Skladi, Ljubljana successfully completed the acquisition of Generali Investments, Skopje; while NLB first received approval from the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) to acquire Mobil Leasing, a Croatian subsidiary of Summit Leasing on 28 June; and later, on 18 July, also obtained approval from the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency (AVK) to acquire Summit Leasing Slovenia. The Bank is now awaiting the final regulatory clearance from the ECB to successfully complete the transaction as expected in mid-September 2024.
"All these events and positive signals only complement the core activity of our Group - providing our customers with services and solutions they need at any given moment, and on the other hand, fill us with energy and motivation to take on the realization of our strategic ambitions and vision even more enthusiastically, decisively, and responsibly," added NLB's CEO.
"The Supervisory Board is satisfied with the energy and determination with which the NLB Group has decided to address the changing banking environment, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Group's ambitious business strategy meets the high expectations of shareholders, while its implementation will strengthen confidence in the development and success of NLB Group, the regional champion," pointed out the Supervisory Board's Chairman Primož Karpe.
You may find key highlights of the NLB Groups' business operations in the second quarter and first half year 2024, Interim report, Investor presentation and NLB Group Factsheet on the links below.
· Key Highlights in the Second Quarter and First Half Year 2024
You are Kindly Invited to the Webcast Presentation
We kindly invite all interested stakeholders to the presentation of the NLB Group's second quarter and first half year 2024 results, hosted by the NLB Management Board. The call will take place on Thursday, 1 August, 2024, at 16:00 CEST/15.00 UK and will be available at https://www.nlb.si/ir-events.
Members of the Management Board will, as usual, receive and address your questions live during the
webcast. If you already know what you wish to ask them, you may submit your questions in advance. If you register for the event, you will be able to send them via the web app, or you may simply send them to the email address IR@nlb.si.
Investor Relations
NLB d.d., Ljubljana
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