- Business
- Skjern Bank A/S operates as a regional commercial bank offering a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to private, corporate, institutional, and public sector customers primarily in Denmark. Founded in 1906 and headquartered at Banktorvet 3, DK-6900 Skjern, the bank maintains 10 branches, including six in South/West Jutland and four in the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area; it provides savings, currency, share savings, and retirement savings accounts; term deposits; mortgage/home loans, cooperative housing loans, home construction/renovation/extension loans, business loans, car loans, electric car loans, energy optimization loans, and renewable energy loans; debit and credit cards; annuity, self, sports, installment, and termination pensions; online and mobile banking including mobile payment via Min Skjern Bank; death, health, critical illness, accident, family contents, home, car, travel, group, and salary protection insurance; payroll and personnel solutions; eInvoice services; international debt collection; letters of credit; foreign payments and guarantees; investment funds; wealth advice and asset management; leasing through Skjern Bank Leasing; real estate consulting; stock and bond trading; and securities investments. The bank collaborates with mortgage providers Totalkredit and DLR Kredit for additional mortgage loan distribution, as well as with IT partner Bankdata for digital platform enhancements including a new website and highly rated mobile banking app; it emphasizes personalized advisory services, ESG initiatives such as solar cell installations at headquarters and energy-efficient financing options, and automated data-driven processes incorporating AI for customer advice and compliance. In 2024, Skjern Bank achieved its best year on record with profit before tax of DKK 364.6 million, up 6.0% from 2023, core earnings of DKK 357.6 million, up 6.5%, lending growth of 3.5% to DKK 6,963 million driven by the private segment, deposits up 7.4% to DKK 8,893 million, a capital ratio of 24.6%, and positive exchange rate adjustments of DKK 38.0 million; branches in Hørsholm and Bramming underwent full renovations and relocations, staff increased to 219 employees with 95.2% satisfaction, customer satisfaction reached 85% with strong referral rates, Skjern Bank Leasing volume stabilized at approximately DKK 250 million, and the board proposed a dividend of DKK 7 per share (DKK 67.5 million total, or 24.6% of profit after tax) comprising cash and a share buy-back program of up to 350,000 shares. The bank targets profit before tax of DKK 280-310 million for 2025 amid expected interest rate declines, while maintaining focus on organic growth, high employee and customer satisfaction, top-sector earnings, and compliance with emerging CSRD sustainability reporting requirements.