The new chief executive of Danske Bank has continued where her predecessor left off by presiding over another stellar trading period in which profits soared, lending increased and thousands more customers signed up.
Julie-Ann Haines was appointed in February to succeed Vicky Davies, who had been five years in the role.
Ms Haines – who arrived in Belfast having been chief executive of Principality Building Society, the biggest financial services organisation in Wales – had shadowed Ms Davies for a period until taking up the role permanently on July 1.
And over the first six months of 2026, the north’s biggest bank saw total income rise by 12% to £232.4 million, and after expenses, its profit soared by some 14% from £118.4m to £135.4m.
Loans were up 10% to just shy of £7.3 billion, and there was a 6% lift in total deposits to more than £12.5 billion.
“It’s a privilege to begin my tenure as Danske Bank’s new UK chief executive at a time when it is performing so well,” Ms Haines said.
“During the first half of the year we recorded a profit before tax of £135.4 million, with income driven by lending and deposit growth in a steady interest rate environment.”
In the first six months of the year Danske supported the business community in the north with over £400 million in business lending approvals.
Pictured in February are Vicky Davies (left), chief executive of Danske Bank, with her successor Julie-Ann Haines. Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye (Kelvin Boyes/Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye )
It revealed that notable transactions included providing growth funding for the likes of the Andras House hotel group, Armagh Dental Clinic, Donnelly Group, Andrew Ingredients, Alpha Housing, Apex Housing Association and Clanmil Housing Group.
Ms Haines added: “We also welcomed around 900 small businesses to Danske Bank, with many attracted by the two years of fee-free banking available with our small business digital account, a strong option for customers who want the flexibility to self-serve. It has been awarded a five-star rating by Moneyfacts for its digital-first design and essential banking features.
“When it comes to everyday banking in Northern Ireland, we welcomed around 7,000 new personal current account customers in the first half of the year, over 30% of whom are under 18.
“We also continue to strongly support home-buyers throughout Northern Ireland and across the UK. Since January, we have approved over £600 million in total mortgage lending, an increase of around 20% year on year.
Danske Bank’s profits soared by 14% in the first half of this year to £135.4m (Kelvin Boyes)
“Given uncertainty about the path of interest rates, customers are understandably focused on affordability. Our mortgage teams are on hand to provide clear guidance, flexible options and timely support for those coming to the end of fixed-rate deals or re-entering the market.”
The new chief executive said she was extremely proud of the work her new colleagues have done to support customers in the first half of the year and is grateful for the continued trust that customers place in Danske.
“As we look to the future, my priority will be to build on these strong foundations and to lead the bank’s continued growth and delivery for the benefit of customers and the wider economy,” she said.