Strong Lending Growth — Highest in 18 Years
Total new lending of EUR 3.4 billion in 2025, up 31% year-on-year and the highest level in 18 years; mortgage new lending EUR 2.9 billion with PTSB taking a 20% market share (up from ~16% in 2024).
Deposit Growth and Balance Sheet Expansion
Customer deposits rose 6% (approx. EUR 1.5 billion), driving balance sheet growth of over 5% and pushing total assets above the EUR 30 billion regulatory threshold.
Capital Strength and IRB Model Approval
CET1 was 15.9% at year-end and pro forma CET1 rises to 17.5% after the new IRB mortgage models and loan sale; IRB approval and CRR3 combined reduced mortgage risk weights by ~9 percentage points year-on-year, translating to a pro forma RWA reduction of >EUR 900 million (approx. EUR 130 million capital benefit).
Profitability and Return Metrics
Profit before exceptional items and tax EUR 175 million (down 3% YoY, EUR 5 million) yielding a return on tangible equity of ~7.3%; management expects RoTE to rise to >9% in 2026 and toward 13% by 2028.
Net Interest Margin Recovery and Guidance
Reported NIM of 203 basis points for 2025 with Q4 exit NIM at 208 bps; management guidance targets >210 bps for 2026 (assumes ECB deposit rate at 2%).
Cost Control and Efficiency Progress
Total operating costs reduced 2% to EUR 519 million, better than guided EUR 525 million; FTEs reduced by 10% (329 headcount reduction to 2,918) and expected annualized savings of ~EUR 21 million; cost-to-income improving from >76% in H1 to ~74% in H2 with a 2026 target of <70% and medium-term target <60% by 2028.
Asset Quality and Provisioning
Impairment release of EUR 39 million for 2025 (fifth consecutive year of release); provision stock down to EUR 320 million (1.4% of loans) from EUR 392 million (1.8%); NPL ratio reduced to 1.4%.
First Dividend Since 2008
Proposed final dividend of EUR 10 million (approx. EUR 0.018 per share) — first dividend payment since 2008 and the first as a stand-alone business (regulatory approved).
Digital, Customer and Product Progress
Mortgage drawdowns via online portal up 55%; app customer ratings across iOS/Android effectively doubled year-on-year (monthly measure); relationship NPS in consumer banking increased 2 points to 24; net fees and commissions up 5% to EUR 58 million driven by current account income.