Danske Bank
At the end of 2004, Danske Bank sharpened its strategic focus, particularly in the area of international expansion. The purchase of Northern Bank in Ireland and National Irish Bank in the Republic of Ireland confirmed Danske Bank’s intention to fulfil its retail banking ambitions on an international scale, and further acquisitions in northern Europe are likely to follow.
The basis for the bank’s strategy is its retail banking export model, which takes advantage of Danske Bank group’s synergies and actively incorporates its shared IT platform, HR strategy and financial control systems. At the same time, the model allows Danske Bank to reap the benefits of operating locally in strong regions and to put into action the bank’s new community banking strategy, which focuses on closer contact with each customer. “We concentrate on our retail banking activities because we believe that this is the best way to ensure growth and profitability,” says CFO Tonny Thierry Andersen. “Our wide branch networks and broad customer bases in Denmark, Sweden and Norway provide us with excellent knowhow that will help us when we cross new borders.”
Over the past years, Danske Bank has launched a number of new products and is a leading developer of innovative products. Most recently, Danske Bank launched its FlexGaranti mortgage finance product, which combines variable rate loans and interest rate caps of up to 30 years.
