Belfast-based lender Danske Bank has reported another significant increase in its pre-tax profit, which is attributes to strong growth across Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK.
Danske has confirmed a profit before tax of £174.9 million in the first nine months of 2025, which is a 9% increase on the same period last year (£160.4m).
That came even after a near £10m impairment charge (these are triggered by the likes of a loan default, decline in the value of an investment, or a decrease in the market value of an asset).
The bank’s total income over the period rose by 12% year-on-year from £283.2m to £318m.
Danske – which currently has 24 bank branches across the north – added that lending to customers rose 9% year-on-year over the nine months to £6.76 billion, while customer deposits increased also by 9% from £11.1 billion to just over £12 billion.
It came as costs had risen due to ongoing investment in technology and wider customer propositions, as well as inflationary pressures.
The bank’s chief executive Vicky Davies said she was “pleased” with the headline numbers.
She added: “At the end of quarter three, we have supported Northern Ireland businesses with over £700 million in lending approvals.
“We welcomed more than 1,300 new small business customers over this period, with many benefitting from our offer of two years’ fee-free banking for new-to-bank small businesses opening a small business digital account. Small business lending approvals are up around 10% year-on-year.”
She went on: “We have continued to build on our strong reputation for financing housing associations both locally and in Great Britain. In September we announced a £35 million credit facility to help Apex Housing Association develop modern, energy efficient homes across Northern Ireland.
“Residential mortgage lending has remained resilient, supported by a sustained local demand for housing, a decreasing interest rate environment and low unemployment levels.
“We approved around £580 million in mortgage lending across Northern Ireland in the first nine months of 2025, up over 3% year-on-year.”
Ms Davies described Danske’s branches network as “a key differentiator in the marketplace”, with its physical presence complemented by a contact centre, local mortgage advisers, a large team of business relationship managers, and by being available for customers in-person at five banking hubs.
She added: “As part of our branch investment programme, we are currently relocating branches in Lisburn, Coleraine and Ballymoney to new, more fit for purpose high street premises nearby.
Danske Bank currently operate 24 branches around Northern Ireland.
“We continue to enhance our digital services and have seen a 33% rise in customer logins to our mobile banking app since 2022. In total, we now record around 100 million logins across our digital channels each year.
“Looking ahead, Danske Bank will continue to be a key enabler of economic growth across Northern Ireland, with a clear purpose centred around helping customers, colleagues and society to thrive.”