Copenhagen, 2012-05-10 07:45 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Danske Bank today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2012. The interim report is available at www.danskebank.com. Highlights are shown below:

· The Danske Bank Group posted a profit before tax of DKK 1.6 billion (EUR 213 million) for the first quarter of 2012. The net profit was DKK 0.8 billion (EUR 105 million), an 11% rise from the first-quarter 2011 net profit, and was generally in line with expectations.
· Income totalled DKK 12.4 billion (EUR 1,660 million), up 6% from the level in the first quarter of 2011, mainly because of higher net interest and net trading income.
· Net trading income was 8% higher than the year-earlier level. The rise was satisfactory and reflected favourable market conditions.
· Expenses fell 7% from the level in the first quarter of 2011, mainly because of lower expenses for the Danish Guarantee Fund for Depositors and Investors. Expenses in the period included a charge...