Our 'A' issuer and issue ratings for SpareBank 1 Østfold Akershus are unchanged following the publication of its 2018 results.The bank reported better profit than expectated in the fourth quarter, partly due to stronger performance in associated companies, which had their strongest quarter of the year despite turbulent financial markets. In addition, the bank booked net reversals of loan losses in the quarter, offsetting a portion of revaluation losses on financial instruments.
Turnaround in net interest margins
Net lending was up 11.3% YoY, including a modest 0.8% in the quarter. The volume of loans transferred to covered bond companies was nearly unchanged from 2017 levels. The bank expects 8% growth in lending in 2019, which implies somewhat higher growth than the Norwegian market, which experienced 5.4% credit growth in 2018 (6.4% in 2017). Increased lending rates following Norges Bank's rate hike boosted NII by 4% in the fourth quarter and the bank expects a 7% impact in the first quarter of 2019. As a result, interest margins finally turned upward to 1.74% in the fourth quarter (1.70% in the third quarter), even including transferred loans (1.49% from 1.44%).
Net reversal of loan losses
SpareBank 1 Østfold Akershus reported NOK 5m in net loan loss reversals in the quarter. In total, 2018 loan losses were low at 2bps of gross lending (including transferred loans). The bank expects low loan losses also in 2019. Nonperforming and other problem loans were 33bps (28bps) of gross lending (including transferred loans).
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research Issuer comment Nordic Credit Rating - SpareBank 1 Østfold Akershus 2018Q4 results Feb. 05 2019.pdf (85.75 KB) Financial SpareBank 1 Østfold Akershus Financial