SEB Interim report January-June 2007

SEB's first half year - operating profit SEK 8.7bn (7.6) 

 

Operating profit for January-June 2007 increased by 15 per cent, to SEK 8,711m. Net profit rose by 17 per cent, to SEK 6,784m.

Customer business was strong within all areas. Assets under management as well as lending and deposit volumes reached record levels.

Operating income increased by 8 per cent as a result of improved revenues within all areas.

Operating expenses rose by 2 per cent, mainly due to performance-related costs. Underlying costs were unchanged.

Net credit losses remained low.

Return on equity was 19.8 per cent (19.8) and earnings per share increased to SEK 10.02 (8.59).

 

 

Operating profit for the second quarter of 2007 was SEK 4,554m, an increase of 17 per cent compared with the corresponding quarter of 2006 and 10 per cent better than the previous quarter. Net profit increased to SEK 3,522m. Return on equity was 20.7 per cent.

 

 

 

During the first half of 2007 business volumes remained strong with high activity levels in all of SEB's markets. Return on equity reached 20 per cent despite the Group's increased capitalisation. Earnings per share increased by 17 per cent compared with the first half of 2006.

 

SEB has a strong customer franchise. Over the last year SEB has actively strengthened customer relations further through increased pro-activity and more co-ordinated product offerings. 

 

The higher operating profit resulted from a combination of continued solid income generation and stable costs. Income grew by 8 per cent, confirming the growth potential of SEB's business mix. Further proofs of quality are the many top rankings awarded to SEB, especially within corporate banking. With our dedicated and highly competent staff we can match much larger competitors in fields such as cash management, foreign exchange, custody and prime brokerage.

 

Underlying costs, i.e. excluding performance-related remuneration and redundancy costs, were stable - a result of a more integrated bank and of investments in enhanced productivity.

 

Cost-management will not hinder further investments in SEB's core areas of strength, which will generate continued organic growth. The Baltic markets remain attractive despite the macroeconomic situation which necessitates stringent credit risk management. The strengthened capital base and enhanced operating model offer opportunities for complementary add-on acquisitions in SEB's markets across the Baltic rim.

 

Top-line growth and cost-management remain the hallmark of SEB. Our ambition is to be top-ranked in terms of customer satisfaction within our selected segments in order to reach leadership in financial performance.

 

 

The full report including tables and additional information can be downloaded from the links below.