In the first three quarters of 2009, the unaudited profit before provisions and taxes reached LVL 24 million, 11% higher than in the respective period of 2008. DnB NORD Banka focused on increasing operational income and overall efficiency of the bank, as well as working closely with customers to ensure the quality of the current loan portfolio. The deposit portfolio of DnB NORD Banka at the end of the three quarter of 2009 was LVL 434 million. Given the continuing challenging economic situation in Latvia, the bank continued to maintain a strict risk policy. The net provisions for the third quarter constituted LVL 26.8 million, with total provisions for first nine months of 2009 standing at LVL 104.6 million. The loss for the third quarter of 2009 was LVL 15.7 million after provisions and taxes; the loss for the first nine months of the year amounted to LVL 68.5 million after provisions and taxes. During the first three quarters of 2009 the bank continued strengthening its capital base. In the first half of 2009 the bank increased its capital base by almost LVL 50 million, and in the end of September the bank increased 1st tier capital by additional LVL 21.2 million. DnB NORD Banka met all requirements of Bank of Latvia and maintained sound capital and liquidity positions. DnB NORD Banka is a part of DnB NORD financial group, a joint venture owned 51% Norway's largest bank DnB NOR (Standard & Poor's long term AA- rating) and 49% by North Germany's largest bank NORD/LB (FitchRatings long term A rating).