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Alisa Bank

Digital bank focused on own balance sheet lending

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Alisa Bank - Entering profitable territory

Alisa Bank’s H1 results were weak, as expected, but gave further confirmation of the profit levels to be expected going forward after the combination with PURO Finance.

Company update |
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Alisa Bank - Figures quite as expected

Alisa Bank’s H1 profitability was in line with our expectations, with PTP at EUR -2.0m (Evli EUR -2.1m), and the report brought with it no notable surprises. 

Earnings Flash |
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Alisa Bank - Boost in earnings ahead
Alisa Bank completed the combination with PURO Finance and issued a guidance for 2024. Our views are largely unchanged; earnings are set to improve going forward while loan book growth remains a challenge.
Company update |
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Alisa Bank - An interesting opportunity
Alisa Bank announced a planned combination with fintech company PURO Finance. The transaction appears appealing through synergies and earnings potential, while providing growth potential amid capital structure challenges.
Company update |
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Alisa Bank - For now a waiting game
Alisa Bank’s H2 results were quite in line with our estimates. All eyes our now on if and when the company is able to strengthen its equity capital to enable growth.
Company update |
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Alisa Bank - Quite well in line with expectations
Alisa Bank’s H2 profitability was slightly below our expectations, with PTP at EUR -0.1m (Evli EUR 0.1m). H2 overall was quite well in line with our expectations on income and OPEX.
Earnings Flash |
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Alisa Bank - Significant challenges
Alisa Bank’s equity story took a hit from challenges relating to strengthening of the capital structure and growth is delayed. We lower our TP to EUR 0.2 (0.37), rating now SELL (HOLD).
Company update |
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Alisa Bank - Slow near-term development
Alisa Bank’s total income in H fell short of our estimates, PTP slightly better than expected. Capital constraints limit near-term growth, but the outlook still remains fairly good once additional capital has been raised.
Company update |
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Alisa Bank - Fairly decent first half
Alisa Bank’s H1 profitability was slightly better than anticipated, with PTP at EUR 0.4m (Evli EUR 0.1m). Total income was below our expectations but lower expected and realized credit losses made up for the difference. Profits in H2 expected to increase from H1.
Earnings Flash |
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Alisa Bank - Awaiting pick-up in growth
Alisa Bank reports its H1 results on August 18th. The loan portfolio development YTD has been flat, with growing interest rates on deposits adding pressure on H2. The growth potential remains in place, but more proof is needed. We adjust our TP to EUR 0.37 (0.40), HOLD-rating intact.
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The Board of Directors of Alisa Bank Plc has resolved to arrange a directed share issue in which new shares of the company will be offered to the personnel for subscription. In addition, the Board of Directors has resolved to launch a matching share plan for the personnel. The purpose of the personnel share issue and the matching share plan is to encourage the personnel to acquire and own shares of Alisa Bank Plc on a long-term basis and commit them to work for the company.

Alisa Bank Plc announced the planning of the personnel share issue and the matching share plan on 17 January 2023.

Personnel Share Issue

In the personnel share issue, a maximum total of 1,807,229 new shares in the company will, in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive subscription rights, be offered for subscription by the personnel of the company and its subsidiaries. The shares to be offered represent approximately 1.23 per cent of all shares and votes in the company before the personnel share issue and approximately 1.21 per cent after the personnel share issue, provided that all shares offered will be subscribed.

The subscription price is 0.1660 euros per share. The share subscription price is based on the trade volume weighted average price of the company share on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd during the period from 1 September 2024 to 30 September 2024 and on a discount of ten (10) per cent thereof. The average price of the share during the period mentioned above was 0.1844 euros per share. The share subscription period is from 25 October 2024 to 15 November 2024. The minimum subscription is 3,012 shares per person, which equals in value a subscription price of approximately 500 euros, and the maximum subscription is 120,482 shares per person, which equals in value a subscription price of approximately 20,000 euros. The aggregate maximum subscription amount equals in value a subscription price of approximately 300,000 euros. The subscriptions must be paid in connection with the subscription. The subscription price will be credited to the company's reserve for invested unrestricted equity.

The terms and conditions of the personnel share issue are attached to this stock exchange release. The final result of the personnel share issue will be released approximately in week 47-48. 

The resolution on the share issue is based on the authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on 20 March 2024.

Matching Share Plan

In the matching share plan, the persons who subscribed for shares in the personnel share issue have the opportunity to receive matching shares gratuitously after a matching period of approximately three years. 

The prerequisite for receiving the reward is that the subscriber subscribes for company shares in the personnel share issue within the subscription limits set by the Board of Directors in advance. If the subscriber has held the shares subscribed in the personnel share issue and their employment or service relationship with a group company has continued until the reward payment date, the subscriber will receive matching shares gratuitously as a reward from the company according to the ratio decided by the Board of Directors. 

The rewards from the plan will be paid after the matching period that ends in 2027. The potential matching shares of the identified risk takers, however, will be paid in a deferred manner in accordance with the financial sector legislation in such a manner that the rewards will be paid to the participants after the end of the matching period within approximately four (4) years in five (5) instalments. For the identified risk takers, the payment of the reward instalments is followed by a one-year (1) retention period, during which the person cannot dispose of the shares paid as a reward.

The rewards will be paid partly in Alisa Bank Plc's shares and partly in cash. The cash proportion of the reward is intended to cover taxes and statutory social security contributions arising from the reward to the employee. The maximum number of gross shares to be paid on the basis of the plan is approximately 1,807,229 Alisa Bank Plc shares (including the cash proportion of the reward), which corresponds to approximately EUR 322,410 calculated based on the volume weighted average price of Alisa Bank Plc's share on 22 October 2024. The final number of matching shares depends on the number of shares subscribed by the participants in the personnel share issue and the fulfilment of the conditions set for the matching share payment. 

Alisa Bank Plc

Board of Directors

More information

Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board, markku.pohjola@alisapankki.fi,tel. + 358 50 1654

Alisa Bank in Brief

Alisa Bank Plc is a financial technology company that provides seamless banking services (https://www.alisapankki.fi/yritysasiakas/yritystili) through digital channels. We serve SME customers, deposit customers seeking competitive interest returns on their deposits and partners. Together with our partners, we offer integrated banking services in the channels where customers carry out their daily business. Alisa Bank Plc's shares are listed on the main list of Nasdaq Helsinki (ALISA), and it holds a license granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority. www.alisapankki.fi

Alisa Bank has shifted its business focus towards SME customers during 2024 and has completed a significant merger with PURO Finance Ltd, a fintech company specializing in invoice financing for SMEs.  As a result of the merger, a pioneer in digital banking and financial services for SMEs has emerged in the market. Alisa Bank's Board of Directors has approved a renewed strategy and medium-term financial targets for the company.

We produce seamless banking services in digital channels

At the core of Alisa Bank's strategy is bringing seamless banking services through partnerships to the everyday digital channels where customers carry out their daily business.  Our target customers are small businesses, deposit customers and partners. Strong existing partnerships lay the foundation and near-term focus for our Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) growth strategy. Alisa Bank's technological capabilities enable a wider utilization of transformative banking services in the future. Alisa Bank also aims to grow internationally with its partners.

The cornerstones of Alisa Bank's BaaS strategy are

1. Capital efficient and profitable growth: Our core products are Invoice financing for SME customers and deposit accounts for deposit customers, in addition, we offer focused banking services for both SME and private customers
2. Responding to customer needs: Seamless digital banking services for SME customers, deposit customers and partners. We make invoice financing available to all SME customers
3. Technological capability: Digital service model, automated processes and a scalable, modern IT system
4. Partnership: Efficient customer acquisition through service integrations in selected markets across Europe.

The strategy enables profitable organic growth among SME customers, especially in the invoice financing business. We are also actively exploring opportunities for inorganic growth in the SME customer segment.

Medium-term financial targets for 2024-2027

Alisa Bank's Board of Directors has approved the following medium-term (2024-2027) targets for the company in line with its strategy:
  • Income growth:  An average annual income growth of 20 percent during the strategy period
  • Profitability: Over 15 percent return on equity by the end of 2027
  • Operational efficiency: A cost-to-income ratio of less than 50 percent by the end of 2027
  • Capital adequacy: 16% solvency ratio throughout the strategy period

The medium-term financial targets presented above replace the financial targets and estimates for the financial development of the combined entity that Alisa Bank announced in the prospectus published on May 16, 2024.

Alisa Bank stated in the prospectus (May 16, 2024) and in the 2024 half-year report (August 9, 2024) that the merger with PURO Finance Ltd and the shift in business focus towards SME financing, especially invoice financing, will improve the company's profitability and enhance the efficiency of capital allocation.

In the renewed strategy, Alisa Bank focuses on capital-efficient and profitable growth, as well as business development within its solvency targets.

Alisa Bank estimates that the company does not require new capital for business growth in line with its medium-term financial targets.

ALISA BANK PLC
Board of Directors

Further information:

Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in Brief

Alisa (https://www.alisabank.com/)Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a financial technology company that provides seamless banking services through digital channels. We serve SME customers, deposit customers seeking competitive interest returns on their deposits and partners. Together with our partners, we offer integrated banking services in the channels where customers carry out their daily business. Alisa Bank Plc's shares are listed on the main list of Nasdaq Helsinki (ALISA), and it holds a license granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority. www.alisapankki.fi

Alisa Bank Plc's Nomination Board prepares proposals for the members of the Board of Directors as well as their remuneration for the Annual General Meeting. The Nomination Board has four members. The members of the Nomination Board are appointed by the four largest shareholders, each of whom has the right to appoint one member. The four largest shareholders entitled to appoint a member are determined on the basis of the shareholders' register according to the situation on the last day of August of each year.

Composition of the Nomination Board from 16 September 2024:
  • Maunu Lehtimäki, Evli Plc
  • Peter Ramsay, Taaleri Plc
  • Antti Kemppi, Kempinvest Oy
  • Mika Laine, Mika Laine/Veikko Laine Oy

Maunu Lehtimäki is the Chairman of the Nomination Board. Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board of Alisa Bank Plc, participates in the work of the Nomination Board as an expert.

The Nomination Board will submit its proposal for the members of the Board of Directors and their remuneration for consideration at the 2025 Annual General Meeting no later than January 31, 2025.

Further information

Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board, Alisa Bank Plc, tel. + 358 50 1654

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/yritysasiakas/yritysrahoitus) Plc is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Katja Vähäsilta (LL.M., Trained on the Bench) has been appointed as Alisa Bank Plc's General Counsel and Member of the Management Team. She will start in this position on 1 October 2024. 
 
Vähäsilta moves to Alisa Bank from Nordea Bank, where she has been responsible for the legal affairs of the Nordea Finance business area. Vähäsilta is responsible for Alisa Bank's legal affairs and regulatory compliance.
 
"Katja has long and diverse experience in legal matters related to a credit institution. We believe that this experience will provide good conditions for successful performance of this role. We warmly welcome Katja to our company", says interim CEO Juha Saari.
 
Further information
 
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595.
 
Alisa Bank in brief
 
Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/pankki) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in straightforward and flexible manner. We offer comprehensive banking services to ordinary Finns as well as to small and medium-sized companies. Our company's shares are listed on the main list of Nasdaq Helsinki (ALISA) and we have a authorisation granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority. www.alisapankki.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Weckroth, Tero
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_17

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 87173 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 87173 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR
 

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Pohjola, Markku
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_15

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 136208 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 136208 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR
 

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Laine, Sampsa
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_13

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 87173 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 87173 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR
 

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Salonen, Jukka
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_16

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 87173 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 87173 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR
 

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Lamminen, Johanna
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_14

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 108967 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 108967 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR
 

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc (https://www.alisabank.com/) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Person subject to the notification requirement
Name: Honkonen, Sami
Position: Member of the Board/Deputy member
Issuer: Alisa Bank Plc
LEI: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74

Notification type: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference number: 743700VK1NB8HRGTQH74_20240823133435_12

Transaction date: 2024-08-23
Venue: XHEL
Instrument type: SHARE
ISIN: FI4000170915
Nature of the transaction: RECEIPT OF A SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE

Transaction details
(1): Volume: 87173 Unit price: 0.00 EUR

Aggregated transactions
(1): Volume: 87173 Volume weighted average price: 0.00 EUR

Further information
Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief
Alisa Bank Plc  (https://www.alisabank.com/)is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

SIGNIFICANT COMBINATION WITH PURO FINANCE

January-June 2024 in brief
  • Alisa Bank Plc and PURO Finance Oy completed the combination on May 15, 2024. The combination supports Alisa Bank's focus on digital banking and financial services for SMEs, as well as improves growth and profitability in the form of synergies and partnerships.
  • January-June profit before non-recurring items and taxes was EUR -1.0 million (0.5). Profit before taxes was EUR -2.0 million (0.4).
  • Net interest income was EUR 7.2 million (7.4). The change was caused by the increase in financing expenses.
  • Total operating income was EUR 7.7 million (8.4).
  • Realised and expected credit losses were EUR -3.2 million (-2.2).
  • Total capital adequacy ratio was 14.0 percent (15.2).
  • Loan portfolio before reducing expected credit losses increased by 11 percent to EUR 192.6 million (172.9) in the accounting period due to the effect of the combination with PURO Finance.
  • Deposits increased by 89 percent to EUR 508.5 million (268.9).

Group key figures (EUR Jan-June 2024 Jan-June 2023 Jan-Dec 2023
1,000)
Net interest income 7,175 7,427 14,757
Net commission and fee 417 847 1,785
income
Total operating -6,432 -5,747 -11,398
expenses
Impairment of -3,223 -2,235  -5,257**
receivables
Profit before taxes -1,995 390 45**
*Profit before non -999 467 574**
-recurring items and
taxes
* Cost / income ratio, 84 69 68
%
Balance sheet total 565,440 287,527 312,583**
* Return on equity -13.0 2.6 0,2**
(ROE), %
Total capital ratio 14.0 15.5 15.2
(TC), %
Common Equity Tier 11.6 12.0 12.0
(CET1), %
Number of employees, 91 85 78
end of period
Earnings per share -0.02 0.00 0.00
(EPS), EUR
* Impairment of 3.4 3.8 3.1**
receivables / loan
portfolio, %

* The calculation principles of alternative performance measures are presented in Appendix A.
** The figures for the 2023 financial year have been retroactively adjusted due to a system-technical calculation error that occurred in December 2023. The ECL provision was erroneously 258 thousand euros too small and result would have been 258 thousand euros lower than reported in the financial statements, i.e. the result for the fiscal year 2023 is 48 thousand instead of 306 thousand. In the income statement, the adjustment was made to the "impairment of receivables" line, and the adjustment affects the sum lines after that. In the balance sheet, the correction had a decreasing effect on the line "Claims on the public and public sector entities" and "result for the year". Corrections have also been made to the 2023 cash flow statement, statement of changes in equity, the notes and key figures that are affected by the above-mentioned accounts.

CEO's review

Towards a profit turnaround and profitable growth

We entered 2024 with both the bank's capital restrictions and the weak economic situation limiting lending, as a result of which the first quarter was clearly weaker than our expectations in terms of operational profitability. As we said in connection with last year's financial statements, we have shifted our focus to business customers during the first half of the year. At the same time, we worked determinedly to strengthen the capital structure, and the combination with PURO Finance completed in May was an important step in this work. As a result of the combination, the bank's own funds were strengthened and profitability and competitiveness in cost-effective service to business customers improved significantly. With the combination, the cooperation agreement between Alisa Bank and Accountor on the integration of banking services into the Procountor financial management software strengthened the bank's banking-as-a-service (BaaS) strategy. BaaS means the provision of banking services (loans, cards and accounts) to the end customer in the partners' channels. The business model enables quick distribution of products in an operationally light and efficient manner. With the combination, the company's personnel was strengthened with experienced professionals in corporate customer business, and we got new owners to join our growth story. The combination strengthened our view that we are on the right path in shifting the focus of the strategy. As a company, we are determinedly on our way towards a profit turnaround.

Due to a weak start to the year, profit before non-recurring items and taxes was EUR -1.0 million and profit before taxes EUR -1.9 million. The profit of the first half of the year was significantly burdened by non-recurring items related to the combination.

Business development

Our loan portfolio before reducing provisions for loan losses increased to EUR 193 million (173) by the end of June.

As a whole, the business development of the first half of the year was strongly determined by the combination of Alisa Bank and PURO Finance. We acquired profitable business and strengthened our competitiveness in serving business customers. With the combination, the number of business customers and the potential for cross-selling increased.  Our technological ability to serve business customers of all sizes with an invoice financing product was strengthened and loan origination processes became more efficient with the help of automation. The bank's BaaS strategy was also strengthened with new partnerships, the most significant of which is Finland's largest provider of financial management services and software, Accountor. The cooperation agreement we concluded on the integration of banking services with Accountor's Procountor financial management software creates good conditions for the continued growth of the number of business customers.

Supported by the combination, the loan portfolio of business financing increased by the end of June by 62 percent to EUR 66 million from the EUR 41 million level of the end of last year. During the reporting period, the growth of corporate customer business was limited by the challenging operating environment of SMEs and our caution in loan origination, especially in industries with increased credit risk, such as construction. Especially during the first quarter, the volumes of corporate finance lending remained small, but clearly increased towards spring and summer. The quality of the corporate loan portfolio remained good and stable, as a result of which we did not record significant credit losses from corporate customers in the first half of the year. With the strengthening of our competitiveness, we are confident of the profitable growth of our corporate customer business. 

In personal customers, out loan portfolio decreased by 4 percent being EUR 126 million (31.12.2023: EUR 132 million). The market demand for consumer financing has remained strong, but we focused on lending to more profitable business customers. In the financing of personal customers, we managed to further improve our interest margin and to direct lending relatively more to customer segments with a lower credit risk. In the first half of the year, we completely stopped loan origination to personal customers in Germany and Denmark due to low profitability.

Our deposit portfolio were EUR 508 million at the end of June (31.12.2023: EUR 269 million). The structure and sources of our deposit portfolio continued to diversify. We expanded our distribution of savings account and term deposit products through the deposit comparison portal Raisin to France and Austria. At the end of June, the average interest rate on the deposit portfolio was 3.0 percent, however, it turned to a decrease at the end of the reporting period. However, the bank's interest margin on liquid assets has continued to increase with the significant increase in liquid assets.

The number of active customers continued to grow and was 68,600 (57,500) at the end of June. Customer satisfaction has remained at a good level (Net Promoter Score 46). 

In June, we implemented a cost-saving program to ensure the realisation of the cost synergy benefits of the combination. In the reporting period, the cost-income ratio was 84 percent (2023: 68%). The cost-income ratio of the reporting period was weakened by non-recurring expenses arising from the combination.

Market environment and risk position

During 2024, general economic growth in Finland has remained weak. The number of bankruptcies of SMEs has remained high, and the strong contraction of the construction industry continues to limit the sector's business opportunities, especially in the invoice financing business, which is central to Alisa Bank. Domestically, inflation has continued to fall and is at the lowest level among the countries of the euro zone, while interest rates still remain relatively high. The operating environment challenges a significant improvement in the business conditions of SMEs in the coming months. Thanks to the increased number of corporate customers, however, we are even better positioned for the future growth of corporate business.

The bank's liquidity position is strong with liquid assets being EUR 352 million (31.12.2023: EUR 135 million). We have increased deposits significantly despite the slight decline in interest rates. We are confident that thanks to the acquisition of deposits spread over several channels, we will also be able to generate a significant return on liquid deposit funds in the future and at the same time increase our deposit portfolio.

The bank's total capital ratio was 14,0 percent falling short of the 16 percent target as a result of negative result. We estimate that capital adequacy will improve during the second half of the year due to improved balance sheet management and positive earnings development. 

Despite the challenging market environment, we succeeded in managing the credit risk. The credit risk position has remained stable for both personal and business customers. Non-performing loans totalled to EUR 7.5 million (EUR 7.2 million) and relative share of the loan portfolio (NPL ratio) was 3,9 percent (4.2) at the end of the reporting period. At the end of last year and in the first half of this year, debt collection companies lowered the valuation levels of non-performing loans. This increased realised loan losses in our loan portfolio when we sold personal customers' non-performing loans to debt collection companies. However, loan losses were at the expected level in relation to the size of the loan portfolio being 3.4 percent of loan portfolio.

Outlook for the future

The combination with PURO Finance was a significant step. The combination strengthened our competitiveness in cost-effective service to business customers. In our business, supported by the combination, we emphasize even more strongly the provision of banking services and financing for SMEs together with our significant partners. 

In the first half of the year, we have eliminated poorly profitable businesses, e.g. abroad, simplified the product structure, for example in online payments, and implemented a cost-saving program that realizes the synergies of the merger. Although the operating environment remains challenging, we believe that our improved competitiveness will enable strong, profitable organic growth in corporate customers and especially in the invoice financing business. We are also actively mapping out the opportunities for inorganic growth in corporate customer business. We estimate that our profitability level will improve in the second half of the year.

We will update our medium-term financial goals and the bank's strategy by the end of September.

Juha Saari, Interim CEO

Financial targets and outlook for 2024

The prolonged uncertainty of the operating environment, the decline in interest rates and delay in strengthening the company's capital structure continues to challenge the financial performance in 2024. 

When the financial goals of the combination with PURO Finance Ltd are fully realised both on the income and expenses side, total income will increase in 2024 compared to 2023 and profit before one-off items and taxes for the financial year 2024 is estimated to be slightly profitable (EUR 0.5-1.5 million). 

The target for the group's total capital ratio is 16 percent.

Further information

Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/pankki) Plc is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

The Board of Directors of Alisa Bank Plc has resolved to establish a new share-based incentive plan for key employees of the group. The purpose of the plan is to align the interests of the company's shareholders and key employees to increase the company's value in the long-term, to retain the key employees in the company and to offer them a competitive incentive plan based on earning the company's shares. 

The Performance Share Plan 2024-2028 consists of one (1) two and a half (2,5) year and two (2) three (3) year performance periods, concerning the financial years 2024-2026, 2025-2027 and 2026-2028 respectively. The Board of Directors will resolve annually on the details of a performance period.

In the plan, the target group has an opportunity to earn Alisa Bank Plc's shares based on performance. The performance criterion of the first performance period's 2024-2026 measurement period H2/2024 is tied to profit before non-recurring items and taxes in H2/2024. The Board of Directors will set performance criteria for the measurement periods 2025 and 2026 later. The target group of the performance period 2024-2026 consists of approximately 10 key employees, including the members of the Management Team and the interim CEO. 

The potential rewards from each performance period will be paid after the end of the performance period within approximately four (4) years in five (5) instalments, in accordance with the financial sector legislation. Before payment, the rewards may be reduced based on risk adjustments. The payment of each reward instalment is followed by a one-year (1) retention period, during which the participant cannot dispose of the shares paid as a reward.

The value of the rewards to be paid on the basis of the first performance period corresponds to a maximum total of 1 472 109 shares of Alisa Bank Plc (including the proportion to be paid in cash), which corresponds to approximately EUR 249 000 calculated based on the volume weighted average price of Alisa Bank Plc's share on 7 August 2024. The potential rewards will be paid partly in Alisa Bank Plc's shares and partly in cash. The cash proportion of the reward is intended to cover taxes and statutory social security contributions arising from the reward to the key employee. As a rule, no reward will be paid if the key employee's employment or director contract terminates before the reward payment.  

The Management Team member must hold 50 per cent of the received shares, until the value of the Management Team member's total shareholding in Alisa Bank Plc equals to 50 per cent of their annual base salary for the calendar year preceding the payment of the reward. Correspondingly, the CEO must hold 50 per cent of the received shares, until the value of the CEO's total shareholding in Alisa Bank Plc equals to 100 per cent of the CEO's annual base salary for the preceding calendar year. Such number of shares must be held for as long as the membership in the Management Team or the position as the CEO continues.

ALISA BANK PLC

Board of Directors

More information

Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board, markku.pohjola@alisapankki.fi,tel. + 358 50 1654

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/henkiloasiakas/saastotili) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in straightforward and flexible manner. We offer comprehensive banking services to ordinary Finns as well as to small and medium-sized companies. Our company's shares are listed on the main list of Nasdaq Helsinki (ALISA) and we have a authorisation granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority. www.alisapankki.com

Alisa Bank Plc will publish the half-year report for the period 1 January to 30 June 2024 on Friday, 9 August 2024 at approximately 09:00 a.m. Finnish time. The report will be available on the company's website at www.alisabank.com/reports-and-presentations after publishing.

Alisa Bank's Interim CEO Juha Saari and CFO Kukka Lehtimäki will present the main points of the half-year report to analysts and investors in a webcast on the same day at 13:00 p.m. You can join the webcast via the attached link, https://app.videosync.fi/web-studio/6687a81317b80b14f00f743c?code=sQgZoHfEXJ. Questions can be asked during the webcast via chat.

The webcast will be held in Finnish. The presentation material in Finnish and in English will be available after the event on the company's website at www.alisabank.com/reports-and-presentations

Welcome!

Alisa Bank Plc

Further information

Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/) Plc is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/)'s CEO Teemu Nyholm has announced that due to health-related reasons he is no longer available for the position of CEO. He will however return to Alisa Bank's service after his sick leave. The application process to select a new CEO has been started.

More information

Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board, Alisa Bank Plc, markku.pohjola@alisapankki.fi,tel. + 358 50 1654

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank Plc is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in a flexible and straightforward manner. For savers, we offer an attractive interest rate on deposits. Alisa Bank Plc is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Finland and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki's main list (ALISA). www.alisabank.com

Alisa Bank Plc's General Counsel and Member of the Management Team, Piia Vuoti, has announced that she is leaving the company to take on new challenges outside the company. Vuoti will continue working at Alisa Bank until 22 September 2024.
 
Interim CEO Juha Saari: "I warmly thank Piia for her important work at Alisa Bank. Piia's contribution as General Counsel has been very important in the various stages of Alisa Bank's development. I wish Piia the best of success in her new challenges."

The company will start recruiting a successor without delay.

Further information

Juha Saari, Interim CEO, Alisa Bank Plc, juha.saari@alisapankki.fi,tel. +358 40 672 0595.

Alisa Bank in brief

Alisa Bank (https://www.alisapankki.fi/yritysasiakas/yritysluotto) is a Finnish digital bank that helps both personal and business customers to manage their day-to-day finances in straightforward and flexible manner. We offer comprehensive banking services to ordinary Finns as well as to small and medium-sized companies. Our company's shares are listed on the main list of Nasdaq Helsinki (ALISA) and we have a authorisation granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority. www.alisapankki.com

Shareholders Date % of Shares % of Votes
Evli Pankki Oyj 30.09.2024 10.4% 10.4%
Taaleri Oyj 30.09.2024 10.4% 10.4%
Kempinvest Oy 30.09.2024 9.2% 9.2%
Vaiste Heikki Tapani 30.09.2024 5.6% 5.6%
Mininvest Oy 30.09.2024 4.7% 4.7%
Oy Scripo Ab 30.09.2024 3.7% 3.7%
Saxo Bank A/S 30.09.2024 3.7% 3.7%
TN Ventures Oy 30.09.2024 3.7% 3.7%
Oy Prandium Ab 30.09.2024 3.2% 3.2%
Veikko Laine Oy 30.09.2024 3.1% 3.1%

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Company Facts

Market cap (EURm) 26
Industry Banks
Ticker ALISA
Website alisabank.com

Guidance

When the financial goals of the combination with PURO Finance Ltd are fully realised both on the income and expenses side, total income will increase in 2024 compared to 2023 and profit before one-off items and taxes for the financial year 2024 is estimated to be slightly profitable (EUR 0.5– 1.5 million).

Financial targets

The target for the group's total capital ratio is 16 percent.

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