OREANDA-NEWS. August 11, 2008. Here you'll find the financial results of Danske Bank A/S Lithuania branch (bank and leasing) of the first half of the year 2008. Danske bankas has 18 branches in Lithuania and together with Danske leasing, employs around 550 full-time staff, reported the press-centre of Danske Bank A/S.

This report comments on the results of Danske Bankas and Danske Bankas Leasing (hereinafter .Banking Activities Lithuania.). Sampo Bank group (Sampo Bankas AB and Sampo Banko Lizingas UAB) became part of Danske Bank Group at the beginning of February 2007.

In Q2, Sampo Bankas AB was integrated with its parent bank, Danske Bank, and on June 1 it started to operate as the Lithuanian Branch of Danske Bank A/S. The brand name of Sampo Bank group was also changed.

Banking Activities Lithuania.s profit before tax in the first half of 2008 amounted to 6 million litas. The result reflects slight increases in net interest income and net fee income and a positive trend in trading income.

Deposits grew strongly during the first six months of the year, exceeding the average market growth rates. Lending growth was more moderate.

Retail lending grew at the market growth rate, while corporate lending growth was somewhat lower.

In comparison with the prior-year period, the loan portfolio grew by 21% and the deposits increased by 47%. Loans to corporate customers increased by 15%, and loans to personal customers rose by 27%.

Both lending market growth and Danske Bankas, loan portfolio growth are slowing down because of the changing economic environment.

These tendencies will remain and may become stronger in the second half of the year.

Deposit growth was strong owing to an increase in term deposits that can be partly explained by the rise in interest rates.

Banking Activities Lithuania was reorganised and rebranded during first half of the year. The main objective of the Group was to ensure that the processes were implemented smoothly and that all concerned parties were well informed about the changes. These procedures required additional investments.

Operating expenses were therefore higher than in the first half of 2007, and this led to the slowdown in profit growth. The Danske Bank Groups Interim Report . First Half 2008 is available at www.danskebank.com/reports.