The high demand for financing in the wake of COVID-19 has fallen off in the third quarter, with lending volumes returning to more normal levels. This is due in part to many exporters having already covered their financing needs and in part to indicators signaling that the Swedish economy has entered a recovery phase. New lending for the third quarter amounted to Skr 17.1 billion, up slightly on the corresponding period last year (3Q19: Skr 16.2 billion).

“The high level of lending during the year resulted in third-quarter net interest income being the highest to date for SEK. Even if new lending has now returned to normal levels, the developments this year showcase SEK’s crucial role in times of economic turbulence.”

Catrin Fransson, CEO of SEK

It is now more important than ever for industry to invest in the transition to a more sustainable world, in particular given the need to restart the economy and to reach the Swedish climate goals contained in the Paris Agreement. SEK has identified four areas in substantial need of transition, namely: transportation, energy, shipping and smart cities.

“For companies to take the step with transitioning, long-term game rules and secure financing are required. The ambition is for SEK to provide strong support through offering competitive finance together with its extensive experience of financing renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure on an international scale,” says Catrin Fransson.

In line with SEK’s focus on sustainability, the company has issued three Swedish krona denominated green bonds for a total nominal amount of Skr 1.3 billion during the third quarter.

Operating profit for the first nine months of the year was Skr 802 million (9M19: Skr 933 million). The decrease in earnings was mainly due to increased provisions for expected credit losses

Results January–September 2020 (compared with January–September 2019)

New lending Skr 106.9 billion (9M19: Skr 61.6 billion)
Net interest income Skr 1,427 million (9M19: Skr 1,286 million)
Operating profit Skr 802 million (9M19: Skr 933 million)
Net profit Skr 627 million (9M19: Skr 734 million)
Return on equity was 4.3 percent (9M19: 5.3 percent)
The total capital ratio amounted to 20.3 percent (year-end 2019: 20.6 percent)
Basic and diluted earnings per share Skr 157 (9M19: Skr 184)