The increase was mainly due to an improved result on financial transactions, almost entirely due to unrealized market value adjustments.
At EUR 4.7 billion the volume of new long-term lending in the reporting period was almost EUR 1.0 billion lower than in the first half year of 2013.
The bank’s persistently high share in the total demand for financing in its main client sectors in conjunction with the lower volume reflects a decline in client demand.
This demand largely relates to the refinancing of existing loans. The unfavorable economic conditions coupled with spending cuts or tax and rate increases offer the bank’s clients little room for new investments. Moreover, clients have adopted a reticent approach due to continuously changing regulations.
In the reporting period BNG Bank raised EUR 9.6 billion (2013: EUR 7.7 billion) long-term funding for refinancing and lending purposes. The international capital markets’ growing confidence in the euro and the European banking sector has further improved the availability of funding at attractive rates.
BNG Bank will most probably fall under the direct supervision of the European Central Bank effective November 2014. In the build-up to this transition, the bank is taking part in the Comprehensive Assessment, which includes the Asset Quality Review and the Stress Test. The results will be announced in October.
The 2014 interest result is expected to turn out lower than that for 2013. The result on financial transactions will remain sensitive to the level of economic recovery in the Eurozone. In view of the prolonged uncertainties, the bank does not consider it wise to make a statement regarding the expected 2014 net profit.
