Nordea Bank Abp: First-quarter results 2026
Rhea-AI Summary
Nordea Bank Abp (OTC:NBNKF) reported Q1 2026 results with operating profit €1.63bn, diluted EPS €0.36 and return on equity 15.4%.
Total operating income was €2.91bn; net fee income rose 6% while net fair value result fell 22%. CET1 ratio was 15.7% and a €500m buy-back programme remains active. Nordea fully deployed a management judgement buffer, reallocating €116m to provisions and releasing €160m surplus.
Positive
- Corporate lending growth +11% year-on-year
- CET1 ratio strong at 15.7%, 1.9 p.p. above requirement
- Released €160m surplus from management judgement buffer
- EUR 500m share buy-back programme ongoing
Negative
- Net fair value result down 22% year-on-year
- Recorded €190m restructuring charge in Q1 2026
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
No peers from the Banks - Regional industry appeared in the momentum scanner, so the -1.71% move ahead of these Q1 results looks stock-specific rather than part of a sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15 | Share buy-back | Positive | -1.7% | Repurchase of 412,756 shares under existing up to €500m programme. |
| Apr 13 | Share buy-back | Positive | +3.4% | 423,205 shares repurchased as part of ongoing capital optimisation. |
| Apr 10 | Share buy-back | Positive | +0.8% | 425,142 shares bought back under the up to €500m programme. |
| Apr 09 | Share buy-back | Positive | +0.8% | 430,274 shares repurchased across Nordic exchanges for optimisation. |
| Apr 07 | Share buy-back | Positive | +6.4% | 440,263-share buy-back under previously announced €500m programme. |
Recent buy-back announcements were mostly followed by positive price reactions, with one notable divergence.
Over the past weeks, Nordea’s news flow has been dominated by daily share repurchases under a buy-back programme of up to €500 million. Transactions between 7–15 April 2026 involved repurchases of roughly 400k–440k shares per day, generally coinciding with positive single-day returns, except for 15 April. Today’s Q1 2026 results update adds an earnings-focused milestone to this recent capital return narrative.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights resilient profitability with return on equity of 15.4%, operating profit of EUR 1.6bn and a CET1 ratio of 15.7%. Business volumes expanded, notably an 11% rise in corporate lending and 9% growth in assets under management to EUR 464bn. Investors may track net interest income trends, net fair value income after the recent 22% decline, cost-to-income discipline and credit quality as key indicators for 2026 targets.
Key Terms
cost-to-income ratio financial
return on equity financial
return on tangible equity financial
net interest income financial
net loan loss ratio financial
cet1 ratio regulatory
net interest margin financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Nordea Bank Abp
Interim report (Q1 and Q3)
22 April 2026 at 7.30 EET
Summary of the quarter
Return on equity
Total income resilient. As expected, net interest income was down (-
Business volume growth. Mortgage lending grew by
Very strong credit quality – remaining management judgement buffer now fully deployed. Nordea's credit quality is very strong and risks have been assessed to be largely reflected in its modelled provisions without the need for additional management overlays. Thus, consistent with earlier communications, the remaining portion of Nordea's management judgement buffer, established during the COVID-19 pandemic six years ago, has now been fully deployed. Of the
Continued strong capital generation and share buy-backs. The CET1 ratio was
Outlook for 2026 unchanged: a return on equity of greater than
(For further viewpoints, see the CEO comment. For definitions, see page 54 in the Q1 2026 report.)
Group quarterly results and key ratios1
EURm | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Chg % | Q4 2025 | Chg % |
Net interest income | 1,759 | 1,829 | -4 | 1,765 | 0 |
Net fee and commission income | 842 | 793 | 6 | 853 | -1 |
Net insurance result | 69 | 54 | 28 | 64 | 8 |
Net fair value result | 226 | 289 | -22 | 257 | -12 |
Other income | 14 | 9 | 56 | 9 | 56 |
Total operating income | 2,910 | 2,974 | -2 | 2,948 | -1 |
Total operating expenses excluding regulatory fees | -1,323 | -1,300 | 2 | -1,362 | -3 |
Total operating expenses | -1,375 | -1,354 | 2 | -1,386 | -1 |
Profit before loan losses | 1,535 | 1,620 | -5 | 1,562 | -2 |
Net loan losses and similar net result | 99 | -13 | -49 | ||
Operating profit | 1,634 | 1,607 | 2 | 1,513 | 8 |
Cost-to-income ratio2, % | 45.5 | 43.7 | 46.2 | ||
Return on equity with amortised resolution fees, % | 15.4 | 15.7 | 14.4 | ||
Return on tangible equity, % | 17.4 | 17.6 | 16.6 | ||
Diluted earnings per share, EUR | 0.36 | 0.35 | 3 | 0.34 | 6 |
- Excluding items affecting comparability. See pages 5 and 17 in the Q1 2026 report for further details.
- Excluding regulatory fees.
CEO comment
It has been an unsettled start to the year once again. The conflict in the
However, the Nordic countries have a strong track record in navigating uncertainty. The stability, fiscal strength and global competitiveness of our home markets make them some of the world's best places to live and do business. In addition, our region is structurally well positioned in terms of energy resilience given its substantial renewable capacity and
Nordea is uniquely diversified across the attractive Nordic markets. Years of relentless strategy execution have made us stronger and more resilient than ever – and very well placed to support customers. That strength showed again in our first-quarter performance, with solid growth in business volumes and high profitability. Return on equity was
Households focused mainly on strengthening their savings and investments. This was demonstrated by a
Assets under management increased by
Our 2030 strategy focuses on six distinct growth areas and we are seeing good early momentum in Private Banking, Life & Pension, small businesses and cross-sales. We are also encouraged by the steady progress we are making in
Total income for the quarter was
Credit quality remains very strong. This quarter, we fully deployed the remaining portion of the management judgement buffer we created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past six years we have continuously assessed the buffer in the light of macroeconomic conditions and in the knowledge that our loan portfolio performance has been consistently strong. These assessments have led us to gradually reduce it. This quarter, we reallocated
In Personal Banking we maintained solid business volume momentum and customer activity. Customer savings and investment activity remained at high levels, with recurring savings up
In Asset & Wealth Management our Nordic channels delivered a resilient performance in turbulent markets. Customer acquisition remained strong, reaching record highs in both
In Business Banking we maintained good business momentum and drove strong volume growth. Both lending and deposit volumes increased by
In Large Corporates & Institutions we grew lending volumes and net fee and commission income while supporting our customers amid market volatility caused by the geopolitical uncertainty. Lending volumes were up
Our capital position is strong, supported by robust capital generation. At the quarter's end our CET1 ratio was
In summary, this was a solid start to the year despite challenging financial markets later in the quarter. While there is uncertainty around global growth, confidence among Nordic businesses has not wavered, underlining the resilience of our region. For Nordea, the higher business volumes in both lending and deposits and growth in assets under management are encouraging. With a unique market footprint, a leading offering and a strong balance sheet, we are well equipped to deliver for our customers and the communities we serve, and create value for our shareholders.
Our outlook for the full year 2026 is unchanged. We expect to deliver a return on equity of greater than
Our ambition is to become the undisputed best-performing financial services group in the Nordics.
Frank Vang-Jensen
President and Group CEO
Outlook
Financial targets for 2030
Nordea targets a return on equity of greater than
Financial outlook for 20262
Nordea expects a return on equity of greater than
Capital policy
A management buffer of 150bp above the regulatory CET1 requirement.
Dividend policy
Nordea's dividend policy stipulates a dividend payout ratio of 60–
- Excluding regulatory fees.
- Excluding
EUR 190m in restructuring costs booked in the first quarter of 2026, which have been treated as an item affecting comparability.
Income statement
Excluding items affecting comparability1
EURm | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Chg % | Q4 2025 | Chg % |
Net interest income | 1,759 | 1,829 | -4 | 1,765 | 0 |
Net fee and commission income | 842 | 793 | 6 | 853 | -1 |
Net insurance result | 69 | 54 | 28 | 64 | 8 |
Net result from items at fair value | 226 | 289 | -22 | 257 | -12 |
Profit from associated undertakings and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method | 1 | -3 | 1 | ||
Other operating income | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 63 |
Total operating income | 2,910 | 2,974 | -2 | 2,948 | -1 |
Staff costs | -811 | -792 | 2 | -827 | -2 |
Other expenses | -357 | -359 | -1 | -375 | -5 |
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges of tangible and intangible assets | -155 | -149 | 4 | -160 | -3 |
Total operating expenses excl. regulatory fees | -1,323 | -1,300 | 2 | -1,362 | -3 |
Regulatory fees | -52 | -54 | -4 | -24 | 117 |
Total operating expenses | -1,375 | -1,354 | 2 | -1,386 | -1 |
Profit before loan losses | 1,535 | 1,620 | -5 | 1,562 | -2 |
Net loan losses and similar net result | 99 | -13 | -49 | ||
Operating profit | 1,634 | 1,607 | 2 | 1,513 | 8 |
Income tax expense | -390 | -373 | 5 | -356 | 10 |
Net profit for the period | 1,244 | 1,234 | 1 | 1,157 | 8 |
1. Excluding the following item affecting comparability in the first quarter of 2026: a
Ratios and key figures1
Excluding items affecting comparability2
Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Chg % | Q4 2025 | Chg % | |
Diluted earnings per share (DEPS), EUR | 0.36 | 0.35 | 3 | 0.34 | 6 |
EPS, rolling 12 months up to period end, EUR | 1.42 | 1.41 | 1 | 1.39 | 2 |
Share price3, EUR | 14.68 | 11.77 | 25 | 16.09 | -9 |
Potential shares outstanding3, million | 3,412 | 3,491 | -2 | 3,434 | -1 |
Weighted average number of diluted shares, million | 3,411 | 3,483 | -2 | 3,433 | -1 |
Return on equity with amortised resolution fees, % | 15.4 | 15.7 | 14.4 | ||
Return on equity, % | 15.2 | 15.4 | 14.5 | ||
Return on tangible equity, % | 17.4 | 17.6 | 16.6 | ||
Return on risk exposure amount, % | 3.1 | 3.1 | 2.9 | ||
Cost-to-income ratio4, % | 45.5 | 43.7 | 46.2 | ||
Net loan loss ratio, incl. loans held at fair value, bp | -10 | 1 | 5 | ||
Net interest margin, % | 1.57 | 1.70 | 1.57 | ||
Number of employees (FTEs)3 | 28,747 | 30,343 | -5 | 28,989 | -1 |
- For more detailed information regarding ratios and key figures defined as alternative performance measures,
see https://www.nordea.com/en/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/group-interim-reports. - Excluding the following item affecting comparability in the first quarter of 2026: a
EUR 190m expense related to restructuring costs (EUR 144m after tax). Of this,EUR 168m comprised staff costs,EUR 19m comprised other expenses andEUR 3m comprised depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges of tangible and intangible assets. See page 17 for further details. - End of period.
- Excluding regulatory fees.
Business volumes, key items1
EURbn | 31 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2025 | Chg. % | 31 Dec 2025 | Chg. % |
Loans to the public | 390.2 | 366.8 | 6 | 381.9 | 2 |
Loans to the public, excl. repos/securities borrowing | 353.6 | 335.7 | 5 | 345.7 | 2 |
Deposits and borrowings from the public | 241.2 | 240.0 | 0 | 242.9 | -1 |
Deposits from the public, excl. repos/securities lending | 220.0 | 221.2 | -1 | 221.7 | -1 |
Total assets | 679.0 | 641.4 | 6 | 654.4 | 4 |
Assets under management | 464.3 | 425.9 | 9 | 473.2 | -2 |
- End of period.
Income statement
Including items affecting comparability
EURm | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Chg % | Q4 2025 | Chg % |
Net interest income | 1,759 | 1,829 | -4 | 1,765 | 0 |
Net fee and commission income | 842 | 793 | 6 | 853 | -1 |
Net insurance result | 69 | 54 | 28 | 64 | 8 |
Net result from items at fair value | 226 | 289 | -22 | 257 | -12 |
Profit from associated undertakings and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method | 1 | -3 | 1 | ||
Other operating income | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 63 |
Total operating income | 2,910 | 2,974 | -2 | 2,948 | -1 |
Staff costs | -979 | -792 | 24 | -827 | 18 |
Other expenses | -376 | -359 | 5 | -375 | 0 |
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges of tangible and intangible assets | -158 | -149 | 6 | -160 | -1 |
Total operating expenses excl. regulatory fees | -1,513 | -1,300 | 16 | -1,362 | 11 |
Regulatory fees | -52 | -54 | -4 | -24 | |
Total operating expenses | -1,565 | -1,354 | 16 | -1,386 | 13 |
Profit before loan losses | 1,345 | 1,620 | -17 | 1,562 | -14 |
Net loan losses and similar net result | 99 | -13 | -49 | ||
Operating profit | 1,444 | 1,607 | -10 | 1,513 | -5 |
Income tax expense | -344 | -373 | -8 | -356 | -3 |
Net profit for the period | 1,100 | 1,234 | -11 | 1,157 | -5 |
Ratios and key figures1
Including items affecting comparability
Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Chg % | Q4 2025 | Chg % | |
Diluted earnings per share (DEPS), EUR | 0.32 | 0.35 | -9 | 0.34 | -6 |
EPS, rolling 12 months up to period end, EUR | 1.37 | 1.41 | -3 | 1.39 | -1 |
Share price2, EUR | 14.68 | 11.77 | 25 | 16.09 | -9 |
Equity per share2, EUR | 8.85 | 8.55 | 4 | 9.47 | -7 |
Potential shares outstanding2, million | 3,412 | 3,491 | -2 | 3,434 | -1 |
Weighted average number of diluted shares, million | 3,411 | 3,483 | -2 | 3,433 | -1 |
Return on equity with amortised resolution fees, % | 13.6 | 15.7 | 14.4 | ||
Return on equity, % | 13.4 | 15.4 | 14.5 | ||
Return on tangible equity, % | 15.4 | 17.6 | 16.6 | ||
Return on risk exposure amount, % | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.9 | ||
Cost-to-income ratio excluding regulatory fees, % | 52.0 | 43.7 | 46.2 | ||
Cost-to-income ratio, % | 53.8 | 45.5 | 47.0 | ||
Net loan loss ratio, incl. loans held at fair value, bp | -10 | 1 | 5 | ||
Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio2,3, % | 15.7 | 15.7 | 15.7 | ||
Tier 1 capital ratio2,3, % | 17.7 | 17.6 | 18.4 | ||
Total capital ratio2,3, % | 20.4 | 20.2 | 21.2 | ||
Tier 1 capital2,3, EURbn | 28.6 | 28.1 | 2 | 29.4 | -3 |
Risk exposure amount2, EURbn | 162.1 | 159.7 | 2 | 159.7 | 2 |
Net interest margin, % | 1.57 | 1.70 | 1.57 | ||
Number of employees (FTEs)2 | 28,747 | 30,343 | -5 | 28,989 | -1 |
Equity2, EURbn | 30.1 | 29.7 | 1 | 32.4 | -7 |
- For more detailed information regarding ratios and key figures defined as alternative performance measures,
see https://www.nordea.com/en/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/group-interim-reports. - End of period.
- The first quarter of 2026 includes net profit for the period, with a dividend deduction of
70% (the upper range under Nordea's dividend policy). For regulatory purposes, Nordea will report CET1 capital ofEUR 25,083m and a CET1 ratio of15.5% to the competent authority, both calculated excluding net profit for the period, and with a corresponding effect on the other regulatory capital levels and ratios.
This release is a summary of Nordea's first-quarter results for 2026. The complete report is attached to this release and can also be found on our website via the link below.
A webcast will be held on 22 April at 11.00 EET (10.00 CET), during which Frank Vang-Jensen, President and Group CEO, will present the results. This will be followed by a Q&A audio session for investors and analysts with Frank Vang-Jensen, Ian Smith, Group CFO, and Ilkka Ottoila, Head of Investor Relations.
The event will be webcast live and the recording and presentation slides will be posted on www.nordea.com/ir.
For further information:
Frank Vang-Jensen, President and Group CEO, +358 9 4245 1006
Ian Smith, Group CFO, +455 547 8372
Ilkka Ottoila, Head of Investor Relations, +358 9 5300 7058
Ulrika Romantschuk, Head of Brand, Communication and Marketing, +358 1 0416 8023
The information provided in this stock exchange release was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contacts set out above, at 07.30 EET (06.30 CET) on 22 April 2026.
Nordea is a leading Nordic financial services group and the preferred choice for millions of customers across the region. For more than 200 years, we have proudly served as a trusted financial partner for individuals, families and businesses – enabling dreams and aspirations for a greater good. Our vision is to be the best-performing financial services group in the Nordics, accelerating through our scale, people and technology. The Nordea share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Copenhagen and Nasdaq Stockholm exchanges.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
https://news.cision.com/nordea/r/first-quarter-results-2026,c4338219
The following files are available for download:
https://mb.cision.com/Public/434/4338219/a7bc7a2ea9487a82.pdf | Q1 2026 Interim Report ENG |
https://mb.cision.com/Public/434/4338219/88fd0a281d3de5a2.pdf | Q1 2026 Investor presentation for Web |
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SOURCE Nordea