Write-downs on loans The bank’s write-downs on loans were NOK 207.9 million, compared with NOK 142.6 million in 2014. Writedowns equalled 1.8 % of average gross loans, compared with 1.7 % in the previous year. Delinquent loans were NOK 754.3 million, compared with NOK 392.0 million at the end of 2014. Relative to gross loans, delinquency increased from 4.1 % in 2014 to 5.4 % at the end of 2015. Non-performing loans totalled 4.0 % of gross loans, compared with 2.8 % at the end of 2014. The increase in delinquency must be seen in relation to the sale of non-performing loans in the 4th quarter 2014. At year end, individual write-downs on loans totalled NOK 63.7 million, and write-downs on groups of loans totalled NOK 328.4 million. The bank’s credit quality shows a stable development. The bank's credit practice and credit models are undergoing continuous improvements.
Profit and loss account for 2015 The NFH Group's profit after tax for 2015 was NOK 537.7 million, an increase of NOK 191.9 million or 56 % compared with 2014. The Swedish operations showed a profit after tax of NOK 54.3 million. The return on equity was 38.6 % and the return on assets was 3.6 %. The improvement in profit is mainly explained by customer and loan growth. The bank recruited approximately 160,000 new customers in 2015 and a loan growth of NOK 4,358 million. Net interest income Net interest income was NOK 1,421.5 million, an increase of NOK 451.6 million in 2015. The net interest margin was 9.6 %, compared with 8.5 % in 2014. The increase in net interest margin is due to improved asset utilization and lower interest expense. Net other operating income Net other operating income was NOK 95.6 million, an increase of NOK 26.7 million from 2014. Net commission and bank services income increased by NOK 42.2 million, totalling NOK 114.1 million in 2015. The increase is explained by higher credit card activity. The net change in value on securities and currency totalled NOK -18.7 million, compared with NOK -3.4 million in the previous year. The change in value mainly comprise of Annual Report 2015 2 Norwegian Finans Holding ASA unrealized securities losses due to higher credit spreads in bonds. Value-adjusted return on the securities portfolio was 0.8 %, compared with 2.0 % in the previous year.