The north’s biggest lender banked a profit of £1 million for every single working day of 2025, its latest financial figures reveal.
Belfast-based Danske Bank reported a 12% increase in pre-tax profit of £250.4 million – a figure thought to be unsurpassed in banking history in Northern Ireland.
Total lending at Danske rose 10% year-on-year to just shy of £7 billion, with new lending approvals for business customers alone exceeding £1 billion, while £790 million was approved in in local mortgage lending.
Deposits were up 9% in 2025 to a record high of £12.4 billion, which the bank says represents “a significant opportunity to further stimulate local economic growth”.
And in what is seen as further reflecting the strength of Danske’s loan portfolio, it did not report an impairment charge (such charges are triggered by defaults, a decline in the value of an investment, or a decrease in the market value of an asset).
“I’m of the opinion that growing bank is a healthy bank,” Danske Bank’s UK chief executive Vicky Davies said.
Danske Bank has reported a pre-tax profit of £250.4 million.
“We are entering 2026 in a strong financial position, which enables us to support customers when they need us and to invest in new products and services to enhance customer experience.”
Danske, which employs 1,400 staff, currently has 24 bank branches across the north.
There were no bank closures in 2025, and Danske is continuing its branch investment, including the opening of new more fit for purpose high street premises in Ballymoney, with similar style branch relocations in Coleraine and Lisburn to be completed in the coming weeks.
Ms Davies added: “We are committed to empowering businesses to grow, to helping people achieve their homebuying goals, and to continuing to play a key role in growing the Northern Ireland economy.
“In 2025 we supported the local business community with over £1 billion in new lending approvals, an increase of around 35% year-on-year.
“Notable business deals included growth funding support for local enterprises Andras House hotel group, Vision Fabrications, Manfreight, Hillmount garden centres, Cathedral Eye Clinic, Orto Pizza, Bruce Engineering, Apex Housing Association, Radius Housing and Rural Housing.
“We also attracted more than 1,700 new small business customers to Danske Bank and lending approvals for small businesses were up 11% year-on-year.
“We also maintained our position as a leading provider of mortgages in Northern Ireland, delivering a record £790 million in local mortgage lending approvals – an increase of around 7% year-on-year.”
Ms Davies added: “We expect a healthy level of mortgage lending to continue locally throughout this year – supported by our competitive product offering, a reducing interest rate environment, sustained levels of demand for housing and continued low unemployment rates.”