DNB's profit for the fourth quarter of 2021 was NOK 6 155 million, an increase of NOK 881 million from the corresponding quarter last year.

The reopening of society has boosted the level of activity in the Norwegian economy. With unemployment back at a pre-pandemic level and companies showing a high willingness to invest, DNB is experiencing a rush of customer enquiries.

"This growth reflects the strong resilience of the Norwegian business community, and once again large parts of the business sector are going at full speed. We are pleased to see that many of our corporate customers are including us in their growth plans. Activity has been historically high in DNB Markets this quarter, and we have raised capital for ensuring growth and creating new jobs. We have also seen strong growth in loans to companies," says CEO Kjerstin Braathen.

Prospera has named DNB the best-liked bank among large corporate customers in Norway, after interviewing 1 145 major Norwegian companies in 2021.

After a year of high activity and good results in all areas of the bank, DNB is in a very solid financial position. At the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend of NOK 9.75 per share for 2021, in line with the Group's dividend policy. 

Record-high activity resulting in profitable growth

Increased customer activity also contributed to a growth in net interest income of NOK 806 million, or 8.5 per cent, compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, despite historically low interest rates in the market.

Income from customer-driven activities (commission and fee income) increased by NOK 555 million, or 22.2 per cent, compared with the corresponding quarter last year. This growth was mainly driven by higher income from DNB Markets and long-term saving, in addition to income from money transfer and banking services. 

Loans to customers increased by NOK 56.8 billion, or 3.6 per cent, during the course of 2021. Customer deposits increased by NOK 140.6 billion, or 12.7 per cent, during the same period. 

A driving force for sustainable transition

During the course of 2021, DNB strengthened its expertise on renewable value chains, as well as its focus on this area. The bank aims to be a driving force for sustainable transition and will facilitate financing of NOK 1 500 billion for the sustainable transition by 2030. 

"We are well on the way to achieving this ambitious goal, and last year we financed or facilitated sustainable activities worth more than NOK 200 billion, together with our customers. We are receiving a great number of enquiries from companies that are developing new technology or undergoing a sustainable transition. This reinforces my belief that banks and the business sector will play a key role in achieving the ambitions of the Paris Agreement," says Braathen.

Financial key figures for the fourth quarter of 2021 (figures for the corresponding quarter in 2020):

• Pre-tax operating profit before impairment amounted to NOK 8.2 billion (6.8)
• Profit was NOK 6.2 billion (5.3)
• Earnings per share were NOK 3.79 (3.28)
• Return on equity was 10.3 per cent (8.9)
• Cost/income ratio was 43.9 per cent (48.8)
• Common equity Tier 1 (CET 1) capital ratio was 19.4 per cent (18.7)

Financial key figures for 2021 (corresponding figures for 2020):

• Pre-tax operating profit before impairment amounted to NOK 31.9 billion (33.0)
• Profit for the year was NOK 25.4 billion (19.8)
• Earnings per share were NOK 15.74 (12.04)
• Return on equity was 10.7 per cent (8.4)
• Cost/income ratio was 43.0 per cent (41.5)

DNB's financial ambitions remain unchanged: a return on equity (ROE) above 12 per cent, a cost ratio (C/I) of less than 40 per cent and a long-term dividend policy where more than half of the annual profit is to be paid out to our owners. DNB's ambition for the capital level (CET1 capital ratio) has been adjusted from 17.1 to 17.6 per cent to reflect new capital expectations from Finanstilsynet (the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway). DNB is changing its tax guidance from 22 to 23 per cent.

For further information:

Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, tel.: (+47) 23 26 84 00 / 97 71 32 50

Thomas Midteide, Group Executive Vice President of Communications & Sustainability, tel.: (+47) 96 23 20 17

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Securities Trading Act.

DNB will publish its results for the fourth quarter of 2021 on Thursday, 10 February 2022 at 07.30 CET.

The fourth quarter results will be presented at 9:30-11:00 CET the same day, at an extended presentation which also will include presentations from the Personal Banking and Wealth Management segments. A broadcast will be available on the Investor Relations website at ir.dnb.no and it will be possible to ask questions online.

Agenda:

• Kjerstin Braathen (CEO)
• Ida Lerner (CFO)
• Ingjerd Blekeli Spiten (Group EVP Personal Banking)
• Håkon Hansen (Group EVP Wealth Management)
• Q&A 

A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 13:30 CET. Call in details: Norway +47 21 56 33 18, UK Wide +44 (0) 33 0551 0200, US +1 212 999 6659. Password: DNB Q4. Please join the call 5 minutes early to allow the operator to transfer you into the call by the scheduled start time.

The phone conference (listen-only mode) and a recording of this will be available on the Investor Relations website at ir.dnb.no.

For further information, please contact:

Investor contact: Rune Helland, head of Investor Relations, tel. (+47) 23 26 84 00 / (+47) 977 13 250

Media contact: Thomas Midteide, Group EVP, Communication & Sustainability, tel. (+47) 962 32 017

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

DNB will publish its results for the fourth quarter of 2021 on Thursday, 10 February 2022 at 07.30 CET.

The fourth quarter results will be presented at 9:30-11:00 CET the same day, at an extended presentation which also will include presentations from the Personal Banking and Wealth Management segments. A broadcast will be available on the Investor Relations website at ir.dnb.no and it will be possible to ask questions online.

Agenda:

• Kjerstin Braathen (CEO)
• Ida Lerner (CFO)
• Ingjerd Blekeli Spiten (Group EVP Personal Banking)
• Håkon Hansen (Group EVP Wealth Management)
• Q&A

A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 13:30 CET. Call in details: Norway +47 21 56 33 18, UK Wide +44 (0) 33 0551 0200, US +1 212 999 6659. Password: DNB Q4. Please join the call 5 minutes early to allow the operator to transfer you into the call by the scheduled start time.

The phone conference (listen-only mode) and a recording of this will be available on the Investor Relations website at ir.dnb.no.

For further information, please contact:

Investor contact: Rune Helland, head of Investor Relations, tel. (+47) 23 26 84 00 / (+47) 977 13 250

Media contact: Thomas Midteide, Group EVP, Communication & Sustainability, tel. (+47) 962 32 017

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the DNB Group will recognise a positive effect of NOK 100 million from basis swaps connected to funding. Furthermore, a positive effect of NOK 125 million from the USD Additional Tier 1 capital will also be recognised.

For further information, please contact:

Rune Helland, head of Investor Relations, tel. (+47) 23 26 84 00 / (+47) 977 13 250

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Yesterday, the Norwegian central bank, Norges Bank, raised the key policy rate by 0.25 percentage points, and today, DNB has decided to increase the interest rates on home mortgages by up to 0.25 percentage points.

“On the basis of Norges Bank's decision to raise the key policy rate, DNB has decided to adjust the interest rate on home mortgages by up to 0.25 percentage points," says Ingjerd Blekeli Spiten, head of Personal Banking in DNB.

All customers whose interest rates are adjusted will be given information in the internet bank or receive a letter by post, explaining how their home mortgage will be affected. The new interest rates will be effective from 18 December for new customers, and from 28 January 2022 for existing customers.  

For further information: 
Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, tel.: (+47) 23 26 84 00 / (+47) 97 71 32 50

Vibeke Hansen Lewin, Executive Vice President Communications tel.: (+47) 99 01 33 49

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (“the FSA”) regularly (and usually each year) carries out a Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (“SREP”), where they evaluate DNB’s risks and capital needs. The SREP includes a decision regarding the Pillar 2 Requirement and the Pillar 2 Guidance for the following year. DNB Bank ASA has now received this year’s decision from the FSA, which will apply from 31 December 2021.

The new Pillar 2 Requirement for DNB Bank ASA and the DNB Bank Group is 1.9 % of the total risk exposure amount (TREA). The requirement must be met with common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital and comes in addition to the minimum requirements and combined buffer requirements under pillar 1. The current Pillar 2 Requirement is 1.8 % of TREA, but the requirement must be met with CET1 capital of no less than 15.3 billion NOK for DNB Bank ASA and 19.4 billion NOK for the DNB Bank Group, which at the end of Q3 2021 amounted to 1.8 and 2.0 % of TREA.

Further, the FSA expects DNB Bank ASA and the DNB Bank Group to maintain a Pillar 2 Guidance, i.e. a margin in the form of CET1 capital, that exceeds the total capital requirement with 1.5 % of TREA. The current expectation is a margin in the form of CET1 capital that exceeds the total CET1 capital requirement with 1.0 % of TREA.

Compared to the requirements at the end of Q3 2021, the overall CET1 ratio requirement for DNB Bank ASA will increase from 14.7 to 14.8 %, while the requirement for the DNB Bank Group will be reduced from 14.9 to 14.8 %. Including the FSA’s expectations regarding Pillar 2 Guidance, the ratios for DNB Bank ASA and the DNB Bank Group will, respectively, increase from 15.7 to 16.3 %, and from 15.9 to 16.3%.

For capital planning purposes, DNB’s ambition is a CET1 capital ratio above 17.1 %. This is based on the current Pillar 2 Requirement, current Pillar 2 Guidance and a full countercyclical capital buffer rate of 2.5 %. As a result of the FSA’s Pillar 2 Guidance increasing from 1.0 % to 1.5 %, the ambition for the CET1 capital ratio increases correspondingly, i.e. to 17.6 %.

At the end of Q3 2021, DNB Bank ASA and the DNB Bank Group had CET1 ratios of 21.9 % and 19.2 %.

For further information, please contact:

Investor contact: Rune Helland, head of Investor Relations, tel. (+47) 23 26 84 00 / (+47) 977 13 250

Media contact: Thomas Midteide, Group Executive Vice President, Communication & Sustainability, tel. (+47) 962 32 017

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INTO OR WITHIN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

Oslo, 3 December 2021

Reference is made to the offer document dated 23 April 2021 (the "Offer Document") and subsequent stock exchange announcements, including 24 May 2021 (extension of the Offer Period until 7 June 2021), 7 June 2021 (final extension of Offer Period until 14 June 2021, reduction of minimum acceptance condition to 2/3 and an increase of the Offer Price to NOK 108.85), 1 October 2021 (Adjustment of the Offer Price to NOK 104.45 as a result of a dividend distribution from Sbanken ASA to its shareholders), 28 October 2021 (extension of the Drop Dead Date to 10 December 2021) and 25 November 2021 (extension of the Drop Dead Date to 22 December 2021), for the recommended voluntary offer by DNB Bank ASA (the "Offeror") to acquire all outstanding shares (the "Shares") in Sbanken ASA (the "Company" or "Sbanken") not already owned by the Offeror (the "Offer").

Further to the announcement made on 25 November 2021, the Offeror has decided to challenge the decision by the Norwegian Competition Authority ("NCA") issued on 16 November 2021 to reject the contemplated acquisition (the "Decision") by filing an appeal to the Norwegian Competition Tribunal ("NCT") (Nw.: Konkurranseklagenemnda) (the "Appeal"). The Appeal has been submitted today. The NCA has 15 business days to forward the Appeal to the NCT, unless it decides to reverse the Decision. The NCT has a further 60 business days to pass a verdict on the basis of the Appeal. Consequently, the outcome of the Appeal is expected by 18 March 2022 (at the latest).

The Offeror is of the view that the Offer should have been approved by the NCA without conditions, and in any case that it should have been approved with the remedies that were presented to the NCA.

To ensure that the Offer may be closed as soon as possible if the NCT concludes that the Offer should have been conditionally approved, the Offeror has entered into an agreement to transfer most of the Company's fund distribution operations, hereunder a portfolio of customers, right to utilise technology as well as other assets to a third party buyer. The Offeror has in this respect also undertaken certain behavioural remedies following such divestiture. Completion of the remedy transaction is subject to, among other things, completion of the Offer.

The Offeror herby announces that, pursuant to Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.8 (Amendments to the Offer) in the Offer Document, the Regulatory Approval Deadline and therethrough the Drop Dead Date (each as defined in the Offer Document) for the Offer is further extended from 22 December 2021 until 24:00 CEST 6 April 2022. The Drop Dead Date may be further extended pursuant to section 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) of the Offer Document, however no longer than 24:00 CEST on 18 May 2022.

In accordance with Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.2 (Offer Price) of the Offer Document, interest shall accrue on the Offer Price for the duration of any such extension period beyond 18 November 2021, at an interest rate of 2% per annum and be settled together with settlement of the Offer Price (on the condition that the Offer is completed).

Oslo Børs, in its capacity as take-over supervisory authority in Norway, has approved the amendment of the Regulatory Approval Deadline and Drop Dead Date in the Offer.

Settlement of the Offer shall take place no later than 10 business days after the date on which the Offeror has announced that the closing conditions for the Offer as described in the Offer Document, including "Regulatory Approvals", have been fulfilled or waived by the Offeror. Settlement of the Offer will, subject to applicable law, remain subject to Conditions 3 (No Material Adverse Change), 4 (Conduct of business), 6 (No governmental interference) and 7 (No breach of Transaction Agreement) until the settlement of the Offer. See Sections 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) and 3.10 (Settlement) of the Offer Document for further information.

No other amendment to the Offer than the adjustment to the Regulatory Approval Deadline and the Drop Dead Date is made in this announcement. The full terms and conditions of the Offer are set out in the Offer Document and previously announced amendments to the Offer.

The Offeror currently owns approximately 9.9% of the Shares and has received acceptances from approximately 81.3% of the Shares not already owned by the Offeror. Following settlement of the Offer, the Offeror will hold approximately 91.2% of the Shares and votes in the Company.

DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, is acting as financial advisor to the Offeror. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS is the legal advisor to the Offeror in connection with the Offer. Arctic Securities AS is acting as financial advisor and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer.

For further information, please contact the following persons in the Offeror:

Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, telephone +47 97 71 32 50

Media contact:

Vibeke Hansen Lewin, EVP Media: +47 99013349

The following persons in the Company may also be contacted in connection with the Offer:

Jesper M. Hatletveit, Head of Investor Relations, +47 95 94 00 45

Henning Nordgulen, CFO, +47 95 26 59 90

Media contact:

Kristian K. Fredheim, Head of Communications, +47 92 44 74 07

***

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This announcement is not a tender offer document and, as such, does not constitute an offer or the solicitation of an offer to acquire the Shares. Investors may accept the Offer only on the basis of the information provided in the Offer Document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway.

Notice to U.S. Holders

U.S. Holders (as defined below) are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer will be made to holders of Shares resident in the United States ("U.S. Holders") on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other holders of Shares of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including the Offer Document, will be disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Company's other shareholders to whom an offer is made. The Offer will be made by the Offeror and no one else.

The Offer will be made to U.S. Holders pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Exchange Act as a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different from those that would be applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law.

Pursuant to an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, so long as those acquisitions or arrangements comply with applicable Norwegian law and practice and the provisions of such exemption. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Norway, such information will be disclosed by means of an English language press release via an electronically operated information distribution system in the United States or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Neither the SEC nor any securities supervisory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States has approved or disapproved the Offer or reviewed it for its fairness, nor have the contents of the Offer Document or any other documentation relating to the Offer been reviewed for accuracy, completeness or fairness by the SEC or any securities supervisory authority in the United States. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INTO OR WITHIN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

Oslo, 25 November 2021

Reference is made to the offer document dated 23 April 2021 (the "Offer Document") and subsequent stock exchange announcements, including 24 May 2021 (extension of the Offer Period until 7 June 2021), 7 June 2021 (final extension of Offer Period until 14 June 2021, reduction of minimum acceptance condition to 2/3 and an increase of the Offer Price to NOK 108.85), 1 October 2021 (Adjustment of the Offer Price to NOK 104.45 as a result of a dividend distribution from Sbanken ASA to its shareholders) and 28 October 2021 (extension of the Drop Dead Date to 10 December 2021), for the recommended voluntary offer by DNB Bank ASA (the "Offeror") to acquire all outstanding shares (the "Shares") in Sbanken ASA (the "Company") not already owned by the Offeror (the "Offer").

Further reference is made to the reasoned Statement of Objections issued by the Norwegian Competition Authority (the "NCA") on 26 August 2021 against the Offeror's contemplated acquisition of the Company pursuant to the Offer and the NCA's decision to reject the contemplated acquisition issued on 16 November 2021 (the "Decision").

Further to the announcement made on 16 November 2021, the Offeror continues to assess a challenge of the NCA's decision by filing an appeal to the Norwegian Competition Tribunal (Nw. Konkurranseklagenemnda) (the "Appeal"). Further announcement will be made by the Offeror in due course, noting that the Appeal must be filed no later than 7 December 2021. The NCA has a further 15 business days to forward the Appeal to the NCT, unless it decides to reverse the Decision. The NCT has a further 60 business days to pass a verdict on the basis of the Appeal.

The Offeror herby announces that, pursuant to Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.8 (Amendments to the Offer) in the Offer Document, the Regulatory Approval Deadline and therethrough the Drop Dead Date (each as defined in the Offer Document) for the Offer is further extended from 10 December 2021 until 24:00 CEST on 22 December 2021. The Offeror notes that, as described in the Offer Document Section 3.5 (Drop Dead Date), the Offeror has an obligation to the Company to notify the Company of a further extension of the Regulatory Approval Deadline, and therethrough the Drop Dead Date, no later than 10 business days prior to the Drop Dead Date (as extended). The Drop Dead Date may be further extended pursuant to section 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) of the Offer Document, however no longer than 24:00 CEST on 18 May 2022.

In accordance with Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.2 (Offer Price) of the Offer Document, interest shall accrue on the Offer Price for the duration of any such extension period beyond 18 November 2021, at an interest rate of 2% per annum and be settled together with settlement of the Offer Price (on the condition that the Offer is completed).

Oslo Børs, in its capacity as take-over supervisory authority in Norway, has approved the amendment of the Regulatory Approval Deadline and Drop Dead Date in the Offer.

Settlement of the Offer shall take place no later than 10 business days after the date on which the Offeror has announced that the closing conditions for the Offer as described in the Offer Document, including "Regulatory Approvals", have been fulfilled or waived by the Offeror. Settlement of the Offer will, subject to applicable law, remain subject to Conditions 3 (No Material Adverse Change), 4 (Conduct of business), 6 (No governmental interference) and 7 (No breach of Transaction Agreement) until the settlement of the Offer. See Sections 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) and 3.10 (Settlement) of the Offer Document for further information.

No other amendment to the Offer than the adjustment to the Regulatory Approval Deadline and the Drop Dead Date is made in this announcement. The full terms and conditions of the Offer are set out in the Offer Document and previously announced amendments to the Offer.

The Offeror currently owns approximately 9.9% of the Shares and has received acceptances from approximately 81.3% of the Shares not already owned by the Offeror. Following settlement of the Offer, the Offeror will hold approximately 91.2% of the Shares and votes in the Company.

DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, is acting as financial advisor to the Offeror. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS is the legal advisor to the Offeror in connection with the Offer. Arctic Securities AS is acting as financial advisor and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer.

For further information, please contact the following persons in the Offeror:

Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, telephone +47 97 71 32 50

Media contact:

Thomas Midteide, GEVP Communications & Sustainability: +47 96 23 20 17

The following persons in the Company may also be contacted in connection with the Offer:

Jesper M. Hatletveit, Head of Investor Relations, +47 95 94 00 45

Henning Nordgulen, CFO, +47 95 26 59 90

Media contact:

Kristian K. Fredheim, Head of Communications, +47 92 44 74 07

***

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This announcement is not a tender offer document and, as such, does not constitute an offer or the solicitation of an offer to acquire the Shares. Investors may accept the Offer only on the basis of the information provided in the Offer Document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway.

Notice to U.S. Holders

U.S. Holders (as defined below) are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer will be made to holders of Shares resident in the United States ("U.S. Holders") on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other holders of Shares of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including the Offer Document, will be disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Company's other shareholders to whom an offer is made. The Offer will be made by the Offeror and no one else.

The Offer will be made to U.S. Holders pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Exchange Act as a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different from those that would be applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law.

Pursuant to an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, so long as those acquisitions or arrangements comply with applicable Norwegian law and practice and the provisions of such exemption. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Norway, such information will be disclosed by means of an English language press release via an electronically operated information distribution system in the United States or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Neither the SEC nor any securities supervisory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States has approved or disapproved the Offer or reviewed it for its fairness, nor have the contents of the Offer Document or any other documentation relating to the Offer been reviewed for accuracy, completeness or fairness by the SEC or any securities supervisory authority in the United States. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INTO OR WITHIN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

Oslo, 16 November 2021

Reference is made to the offer document dated 23 April 2021 (the "Offer Document") and subsequent stock exchange announcements for the recommended voluntary offer by DNB Bank ASA (the "Offeror") to acquire all outstanding shares in Sbanken ASA (the "Company") not already owned by the Offeror (the "Offer").

Further reference is made to the reasoned Statement of Objections issued by the Norwegian Competition Authority (the "NCA") on 26 August 2021 against the Offeror's contemplated acquisition of the Company pursuant to the Offer (the "SO"). The SO was based on the NCA's preliminary assessments related to possible effects on competition caused by the acquisition in the market for fund distribution.

Further to the Offeror's announcements on 7 October 2021 and 28 October 2021, the Offeror has proposed multiple alternative remedies involving several third parties to address the preliminary concerns expressed in the SO. The remedies offered included, among others, a divesture of most of the Company's fund distribution operations and behavioural remedies following such divestiture, which in the Offeror's view would fully address the NCA's concerns expressed in the SO.

Despite this, the NCA has today announced that the remedies proposed by the Offeror have not sufficiently mitigated the NCA's concerns as set out in the SO and has therefore issued a decision rejecting the contemplated acquisition. As such, Condition 3 "Regulatory Approvals" in Section 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) remains unsatisfied.

The Offeror is now assessing a possible challenge of the NCA's decision by filing an appeal to the Norwegian Competition Tribunal (Nw. Konkurranseklagenemnda). Further announcement will be made by the Offeror in due course, noting that the Offeror has 15 business days to determine whether to appeal the NCA's decision.

Settlement of the Offer shall take place no later than 10 business days after the date on which the Offeror has announced that the closing conditions for the Offer as described in the Offer Document, including "Regulatory Approvals", have been fulfilled or waived by the Offeror. Settlement of the Offer will, subject to applicable law, remain subject to Conditions 3 (No Material Adverse Change), 4 (Conduct of business), 6 (No governmental interference) and 7 (No breach of Transaction Agreement) until the settlement of the Offer. See Sections 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) and 3.10 (Settlement) of the Offer Document for further information.

DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA is acting as financial advisor to the Offeror. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS is the legal advisor to the Offeror in connection with the Offer. Arctic Securities AS is acting as financial advisor and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer.

For further information, please contact the following persons in the Offeror:

Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, telephone +47 97 71 32 50

Media contact:

Thomas Midteide, GEVP Communications & Sustainability: +47 96 23 20 17

The following persons in the Company may also be contacted in connection with the Offer:

Jesper M. Hatletveit, Head of Investor Relations, +47 95 94 00 45

Henning Nordgulen, CFO, +47 95 26 59 90

Media contact:

Kristian K. Fredheim, Head of Communications, +47 92 44 74 07

***

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This announcement is not a tender offer document and, as such, does not constitute an offer or the solicitation of an offer to acquire the Shares. Investors may accept the Offer only on the basis of the information provided in the Offer Document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway.

Notice to U.S. Holders

U.S. Holders (as defined below) are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer will be made to holders of Shares resident in the United States ("U.S. Holders") on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other holders of Shares of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including the Offer Document, will be disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Company's other shareholders to whom an offer is made. The Offer will be made by the Offeror and no one else.

The Offer will be made to U.S. Holders pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Exchange Act as a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different from those that would be applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law.

Pursuant to an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, so long as those acquisitions or arrangements comply with applicable Norwegian law and practice and the provisions of such exemption. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Norway, such information will be disclosed by means of an English language press release via an electronically operated information distribution system in the United States or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Neither the SEC nor any securities supervisory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States has approved or disapproved the Offer or reviewed it for its fairness, nor have the contents of the Offer Document or any other documentation relating to the Offer been reviewed for accuracy, completeness or fairness by the SEC or any securities supervisory authority in the United States. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INTO OR WITHIN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

Oslo, 28 October 2021

Reference is made to the offer document dated 23 April 2021 (the "Offer Document") and subsequent stock exchange announcements, including 24 May 2021 (extension of the Offer Period until 7 June 2021), 7 June 2021 (final extension of Offer Period until 14 June 2021, reduction of minimum acceptance condition to 2/3 and an increase of the Offer Price to NOK 108.85) and 1 October 2021 (Adjustment of the Offer Price to NOK 104.45 as a result of a dividend distribution from Sbanken ASA to its shareholders), for the recommended voluntary offer by DNB Bank ASA (the "Offeror") to acquire all outstanding shares (the "Shares") in Sbanken ASA (the "Company") not already owned by the Offeror (the "Offer").

Further reference is made to the reasoned Statement of Objections issued by the Norwegian Competition Authority (the "NCA") on 26 August 2021 against the Offeror's contemplated acquisition of the Company pursuant to the Offer (the "SO"). The SO is based on the NCA's preliminary assessments related to possible effects on competition caused by the acquisition in the market for fund distribution. As announced on 7 October 2021, the Offeror has offered remedies to address the preliminary concerns expressed in the SO. Pursuant to the Norwegian Competition Act, the NCA's deadline for reviewing the acquisition was thus extended by 15 business days until 28 October 2021.

The Offeror continues its dialogue with the NCA regarding proposed remedies as this is required in order to fully assess the potential remedies. Pursuant to the Norwegian Competition Act, the NCA's deadline for reviewing the acquisition has thus been further extended by 15 business days. The NCA has until 18 November 2021 to (i) unconditionally approve the acquisition, (ii) approve the acquisition conditional on compliance with certain remedies or (iii) prohibit the acquisition. The NCA may at any stage close its investigation of the acquisition provided that it finds that the criteria for intervention is not met.

Due to the extended timeline for the NCAs assessment of the proposed remedies, the Offeror herby announces that, pursuant to Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.8 (Amendments to the Offer) in the Offer Document, the Regulatory Approval Deadline and therethrough the Drop Dead Date (each as defined in the Offer Document) for the Offer is extended from 18 November 2021 until 10 December 2021. The Drop Dead Date may be further extended pursuant to section 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) of the Offer Document, however no longer than until 18 May 2022. In accordance with Sections 3.5 (Drop Dead Date) and 3.2 (Offer Price) of the Offer Document, unless Condition 2 (Regulatory Approvals) in section 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) is met or waived by 24:00 CET on 18 November 2021 interest shall accrue on the Offer Price for the duration of any such extension period beyond 18 November 2021 at an interest rate of 2% per annum and be settled together with settlement of the Offer Price (on the condition that the Offer is completed).

Oslo Børs, in its capacity as take-over supervisory authority in Norway, has approved the amendment of the Regulatory Approval Deadline and Drop Dead Date in the Offer.

Settlement of the Offer shall take place no later than 10 business days after the date on which the Offeror has announced that the closing conditions for the Offer as described in the Offer Document, including "Regulatory Approvals", have been fulfilled or waived by the Offeror. Settlement of the Offer will, subject to applicable law, remain subject to Conditions 3 (No Material Adverse Change), 4 (Conduct of business), 6 (No governmental interference) and 7 (No breach of Transaction Agreement) until the settlement of the Offer. See Sections 3.4 (Conditions for completion of the Offer) and 3.10 (Settlement) of the Offer Document for further information.

No other amendment to the Offer than the adjustment to the Regulatory Approval Deadline and the Drop Dead Date is made in this announcement. The full terms and conditions of the Offer are set out in the Offer Document and previously announced amendments to the Offer.

The Offeror currently owns approximately 9.9% of the Shares and has received acceptances from approximately 81.3% of the Shares not already owned by the Offeror. Following settlement of the Offer, the Offeror will hold approximately 91.2% of the Shares and votes in the Company.

DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, is acting as financial advisor to the Offeror. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS is the legal advisor to the Offeror in connection with the Offer. Arctic Securities AS is acting as financial advisor and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer.

For further information, please contact the following persons in the Offeror:

Rune Helland, Head of Investor Relations, telephone +47 97 71 32 50

Media contact:

Thomas Midteide, GEVP Communications & Sustainability: +47 96 23 20 17

The following persons in the Company may also be contacted in connection with the Offer:

Jesper M. Hatletveit, Head of Investor Relations, +47 95 94 00 45

Henning Nordgulen, CFO, +47 95 26 59 90

Media contact:

Kristian K. Fredheim, Head of Communications, +47 92 44 74 07

***

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements according to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This announcement is not a tender offer document and, as such, does not constitute an offer or the solicitation of an offer to acquire the Shares. Investors may accept the Offer only on the basis of the information provided in the Offer Document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway.

Notice to U.S. Holders

U.S. Holders (as defined below) are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer will be made to holders of Shares resident in the United States ("U.S. Holders") on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other holders of Shares of the Company to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including the Offer Document, will be disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Company's other shareholders to whom an offer is made. The Offer will be made by the Offeror and no one else.

The Offer will be made to U.S. Holders pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Exchange Act as a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different from those that would be applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law.

Pursuant to an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, so long as those acquisitions or arrangements comply with applicable Norwegian law and practice and the provisions of such exemption. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Norway, such information will be disclosed by means of an English language press release via an electronically operated information distribution system in the United States or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Neither the SEC nor any securities supervisory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States has approved or disapproved the Offer or reviewed it for its fairness, nor have the contents of the Offer Document or any other documentation relating to the Offer been reviewed for accuracy, completeness or fairness by the SEC or any securities supervisory authority in the United States. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.