SaarLB can look back on another successful financial year in 2024. Despite a difficult and challenging market environment, the Franco-German bank once again demonstrated its important position in the greater Saarbrücken area and its core markets. The customer loan portfolio grew, capital ratios improved further and earnings before taxes reached an all-time high.
KEY FIGURES AT A GLANCE (31 Dec. 2024):
- Earnings before taxes rose to EUR 65.0 million, a record high for SaarLB, and return on equity increased to 8%.
- The customer loan portfolio continued to grow compared to the end of 2023, reaching EUR 14.2 billion.
- Supported by the abolition of the bank levy, administrative expenses fell to EUR 79.4 million, the lowest level since 2014, with the cost-income ratio (CIR) falling below the 50% mark.
- Capital ratios continued to improve. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio now stands at 9% (15.5% after retained earnings), well above expectations.
“We have further strengthened our market position and sustainably increased both our lending volume and earnings. Our strategic focus has once again proven to be successful. We are particularly pleased to have achieved the highest earnings before taxes in our history”, commented Dr Thomas Bretzger, Chairman of the Board of Management of SaarLB.
The loan portfolio increased by EUR 0.4 billion year-on-year to EUR 14.2 billion, with a stable regional distribution between Germany and France and a balanced segment structure. Due to the continued low level of interest rates, operating income decreased slightly by 2.6% compared to 2023. However, this was more than offset by the significant reduction in general administrative expenses (-10.0%).
“Thanks to years of disciplined management of our administrative expenses, we have achieved the lowest cost level in ten years, also supported by the abolition of the bank levy. This confirms our strategy of combining long-term profitable growth with high efficiency”, added Dr Thomas Bretzger.
Valuation and risk results were in line with expectations. The capital ratios showed a similarly positive trend. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 14.9%, well above expectations and well above the regulatory minimum of 8.5%.
MORE FACTS AT A GLANCE:
- The highly successful “BankWesen” campaign was further developed to intensify its contribution to strengthening the employer brand, improving the bank’s image and supporting recruitment efforts across all media channels.
- Landesbausparkasse Saar (LBS) recorded a significant increase in its lending business. In 2024, it disbursed approximately EUR 96 million in home loan and savings loans, representing a significant increase of 30% compared to the previous year.
“Building on the remarkable success of our ‘BankWesen’ campaign launched two years ago, we will now capitalise on this positive momentum and use the evolved campaign phase to further enhance our employer brand and strengthen our already impressive recruitment results”, said Dr Thomas Bretzger.
KEY FIGURES AT A GLANCE (31 Dec. 2024):
Operating income
| 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2024 |
| EUR 153,5 million | EUR 168,0 million | EUR 163,7 million |
Administrative expenses
| 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2024 |
| EUR 89,2 million | EUR 88,2 million | EUR 79.4 million |
Earnings before taxes
| 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2024 |
| EUR 47,1 million | EUR 56,9 million | EUR 65,0 million |
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1 ratio)
| 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2024 |
| 13.4 % | 13,9 % | 14,9 % |
Note: Rounding differences are neglected.
With these achievements, SaarLB is optimistic about 2025 and the years to come, and is determined to continue its strategic development.
As previously announced, Dr Thomas Bretzger will step down as Chairman of the Board of Management on 31 March 2025. He will be succeeded by Dr Jochen Sutor on 1 April 2025.
You will find the complete annual report here
