In the 1st quarter of 2009 DnB NORD Banka continued its development, paying close attention to the challenging macro economic situation facing Latvia, and focusing on promoting efficiency, working closely with customers to ensure the quality of the current loan portfolio and increasing operational income. Unaudited profit before provisions and taxes for the 1st quarter of 2009 was LVL 8.3 million. Given the challenging economic situation of Latvia, the bank continued to maintain a strict risk policy to ensure long-term stability. DnB NORD Banka made provisions for unsecured credits amounting to LVL 16.9 million. The loss for the first three months of the year amounted to LVL 8.6 million after provisions. Assets stood at LVL 1.9 billion at the end of March 2009, an increase of 6.1% compared to the respective period in 2008. DnB NORD Līzings, the subsidiary of DnB NORD Banka, maintained its 3rd position among the biggest leasing companies of Latvia. The assets of DnB NORD Banka's investment management company, DnB NORD Fondi, increased by LVL 6.6 million in comparison with the beginning of the year, to stand at LVL 34.3 million at the end of the first quarter 2009. At the end of April 2009, DnB NORD Banka strengthened its capital base EUR 20 million through an additional subordinated loan by DnB NORD A/S.