With good momentum into 2026

A new line from the political leadership in the United States for setting tariffs with the outside world created international unrest, and the conflicts in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and the role of the major powers in this picture also dominated the news regularly.

Last year was also the year when artificial intelligence and digital security challenges became a serious topic on the world's agenda, with a growing concern about misinformation and cyber fraud.  

The financial market has coped well with the turbulence, and even though the turbulence has affected us here at home, it seems that it has become part of the normal. For personal finances, 2025 was a turning point when the policy rate began to fall after a period of high levels, and for the first time in several years, many households experienced an improvement in purchasing power.

In position to select

If we look in the rear-view mirror, we see that 2025 has been an active and eventful year for Sparebanken Møre. It has been the largest merger year in the banking industry in 40 years, but here we have been clear in our business strategy. Sparebanken Møre will be independent and non-aligned, and we want to continue to do so. Such a position gives us the opportunity to choose the solutions we believe are the best for our customers and for the bank, regardless of alliances. By becoming co-owners of product companies such as Norne, Kredittbanken and Borea – companies that are linked to different banking groups, we are reinforcing our business strategy of being independent and non-aligned. We know our strengths, compete where we need to and collaborate where we can!  

One in four is a customer of the bank

In 2025, several competitors have said that they are targeting Northwest Norway. Our home ground has good prospects and is an attractive market. Competition is healthy, it's something we're used to and it makes us stretch to get better. We are Norway's sixth largest savings bank, are the market leader in the northwest, and more than one in four residents and companies are customers of the bank. But there is still great potential for growth in the region, and skilled employees are a success factor in achieving it.  Customer expectations motivate us to simplify and improve our services, and we continue to pursue the agile digital customer journeys, well supported by smart use of technology and artificial intelligence.

Good cards 

We have good cards in hand in the battle for customers. Two important keywords are our employees and our expertise. For the fifth year in a row, corporate customers place us in the top tier nationally in terms of customer satisfaction in the EPSI bank survey. The combination of local knowledge, industry insight and solid financial expertise is well received by customers. The activity level in the business sector in Northwest Norway was generally good in 2025 as well, but the development was somewhat more complex than the year before. 

In the retail market, the figures from EPSI also show increasing customer satisfaction compared to the national industry average, which is pointing downwards. The growth of new customers is good, both in Northwest Norway, in Oslo and in major cities in Norway, and is a good confirmation of the bank's business model and competitiveness. We place great emphasis on accessibility, expertise and good customer service, and aim to be a safe and close bank for most people. We are strengthening our position as a market leader, and find that we are the first choice for many when choosing a bank. We greatly appreciate that trust!  

Growth for investment and wealth

Interest in savings is increasing among customers, and we find that more people have opened their eyes to savings and investments. Over the course of 25 years, the bank's asset management environment has gained a strong market position, and in November the service passed a milestone of NOK 10 billion in assets under management. We see a clear increase in the number of customers

 who seek advice on how to get the best possible return on their money, and the growth is not accidental. This is due to targeted efforts and close cooperation within the bank. In 2025, we have a total revenue increase of 20 percent in active management and 17 percent in fund sales. Our goal is that values created in our region will also be managed in our region.

Sustainability – from strategy to action

For the sixth year in a row, customers have said that Sparebanken Møre is the best at sustainability. How do we do it? According to our customers, this is because we are able to adapt our sustainability work to their needs. Last year, sustainability was incorporated into every part of our business. We have launched the transition plan towards net-zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets up to 2030 for industries such as maritime, real estate and seafood. ESG assessments are a natural part of product development and supplier selection, and we have strengthened the expertise of our advisors to help customers with green choices.

We give back

We believe in the savings bank model, and the role of society is strong in Sparebanken Møre. In 2025, NOK 332 million was set aside for donations to charitable purposes – an investment in culture, sports, expertise and business development that has ripple effects throughout the region. The bank is the largest contributor to charitable purposes in Northwest Norway, and one of several important focus areas is to increase science expertise in the region. The business community in Northwest Norway is demanding higher competence in science, and for several years we have been working on various projects to increase the interest of children and young people. From students in primary school to students at universities and colleges.  

In 2025, we were also part of a historic boost for women's football in the county. A five-year agreement with Molde FK and Aafk Fortuna was signed with the goal of building a solid foundation and contributing to a professionalization of top-level football, and to increase recruitment to grassroots football.  

Top and width belong together! 

Our social commitment encompasses more than gifts for charitable purposes. In addition, we have a financing role that will ensure good access to capital locally and a competence role that will help strengthen the ability of both companies and individuals to adapt. All this gives us unique insight and draws us close to what is happening on our home turf.

What awaits us in 2026?

Internationally, the prospect of a more protectionist trade policy has created uncertainty over the past year. So far, however, it appears that the actual negative effects on the world economy are quite small. Increased public investment, combined with easing price pressures and lower interest rates, is underpinning growth prospects in Europe and neighbouring countries. The Norwegian economy is also experiencing a cautious upturn, largely driven by increased household purchasing power. The starting point for the Norwegian economy, and Northwest Norway, thus appears to be well on its way into a new year. 

2025 has shown that Sparebanken Møre is more than a bank. I am proud of our organization, and the drive I see in the employees. They are close to the customers and committed contributors to the development of our society.  

We are going forward and are ready for 2026!

Trond Lars Nydal

Managing Director