| (GBP millions) | Q1 2026 |
Q1 2025 |
Index 26/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total income | 116.5 | 101.0 | 115 |
| Expenses | -44.7 | .42.5 | 105 |
| Profit before loan impairment charges | 71.7 | 58.5 | 120 |
| Loan impairments | -1.2 | 5.5 | |
| Profit before tax | 70.5 | 64.0 | 110 |
| Loans (end of period) | 7,163 | 6,453 | 111 |
| Deposits (end of period) | 12,165 | 11,461 | 106 |
Vicky Davies, CEO of Danske Bank UK, commented:
“I am pleased to report a profit-before-tax of £70.5 million for the first three months of 2026, reflecting continued growth both in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK. Lending to customers increased by 11% year-on-year, while customer deposits grew by 6%. Costs rose due to inflationary pressures and ongoing investment to improve customer experience.
“Our focus on encouraging more small businesses to join Danske Bank has continued, and around 450 joined us in quarter one - with many attracted by the two years fee-free banking on offer to those that open a small business digital account.
“Another key focus is providing lending support to the social housing sector, with private funding needed more than ever given public funding constraints in Northern Ireland. 2025 was a record year of lending to the sector by Danske Bank, and our support in quarter one included providing North Antrim based Triangle Housing Association with a £22 million revolving credit facility for the development of over 100 new social housing units.
“We also continue to provide strong support to homebuyers throughout Northern Ireland and in the rest of the UK. In the first three months of the year, we provided over £300 million in total mortgage lending approvals, an increase of around 20% year-on-year.
“We remain cautiously optimistic about the forward outlook for the housing market in Northern Ireland, due to a continued strong demand for home ownership coupled with the sustained strength of the local labour market.
“When it comes to everyday banking in Northern Ireland, we welcomed around 4,000 new personal current account customers in the first three months of the year. In addition to our easy-to-use digital banking platforms, Danske Bank customers are supported on the ground through our 24 branches, local contact centre, mortgage advisers, private banking team, business relationship managers, and presence across local banking hubs.
“We continue to invest in all the different ways customers choose to do their banking with us, and this year that has included the opening of new, more fit for purpose High Street branch locations in Coleraine and Lisburn.
“Due to the recent events in the Middle East, we are mindful that customers are experiencing higher energy and fuel costs, adding to concerns over money worries. If any customers are struggling with repayments, we would always encourage them to contact us to explore support options that we have available, including tailored solutions to suit their needs.
“Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, our primary focus will remain on supporting our customers alongside continuing to play a key role in growing Northern Ireland's economy.”
