NKB Presents an Extremely Solid Annual Result

The year 2025 is the second-best business year in the history of NKB. With an operating result of CHF 34.9 million, the Nidwaldner Kantonalbank presents a somewhat lower, yet still extremely solid annual result compared to the previous year. The main reasons for the decline in operating profit are primarily a challenging interest environment and changed refinancing conditions. In the operational area, however, the bank looks back on a strong reporting year. NKB was able to significantly expand both its financing and investment business. Heinrich Leuthard, Chairman of the Executive Board, assesses the business year 2025 positively overall: 'The foundation is convincing: We are growing in financing and investment business and have also been able to gain in areas outside of our core business. This shows that we are robustly positioned even under changing conditions.'

Leuthard particularly emphasizes the strong performance in the operational area. 'Precisely the operating result reflects what the NKB is all about, because this pleasing development is only possible thanks to the great trust of our customers. This trust is based on personal advice and the lived proximity, and these are exactly the central strengths of our bank.'

Financing business significantly expanded

In the bank's core business, the growth course continued. Customer loans increased by CHF 390.4 million (+7.6%) despite challenging conditions with still high real estate prices in the region, amounting to CHF 5,547.5 million. 'This remarkable expansion is a clear sign of the high quality of our advice in the financing business,' says Heinrich Leuthard.

New money inflows thanks to advisory competence

The bank was also able to significantly increase its securities and deposit volume. In the reporting year 2025, NKB recorded a net inflow of new money of CHF 138.0 million, bringing the deposit volume to CHF 3,155.3 million (+14.1%). 'For me, this is a confirmation that our customers continue to place their trust in us with various investment decisions. Our investment competence is convincing and appreciated,' summarizes Heinrich Leuthard.

Net profit of CHF 17.0 million

After depreciations and provisions for general bank risks, NKB reports a net profit of CHF 17.0 million (-3.0%). A dividend of CHF 10.4 million will be distributed to the canton of Nidwalden. In addition, the canton will receive CHF 1.5 million (+11.7%) as compensation for the state guarantee. The dividend remains at CHF 65 per participation certificate. After the profit appropriation, the equity capital amounts to CHF 567.4 million (CHF 544.7 million as of 31 December 2024).

'A big thank you goes to our employees. We conclude the business year 2025 with an extremely solid result. This success is primarily the result of the great dedication, team spirit, and impressive commitment of our employees, who strive every day to offer our customers 'More from Life', says Heinrich Leuthard.

Strategy 2022 – 2026 strategically advanced further

The implementation of the strategy 'Viewpoint' for the period 2022 to 2026 continues as planned, with the course set for the last half-year. Numerous milestones were achieved with the establishment of sales and channel management, the new product and service offering, targeted expansion of digital services, and the launch of the MEDVIA physicians' ecosystem. Additionally, five of the seven branches have already been modernized. The renovation work in Hergiswil is proceeding as planned, and the branch will reopen in summer 2026. The construction project for the Wolfenschiessen location is currently in the planning phase. 'The current strategy period has been very successful so far and will end as planned in mid-2026. The upcoming leadership change at NKB is extremely important for the strategic direction in the future, which is why the new strategy will be developed in close cooperation with the new CEO. It is clear that we will remain true to the values and identity of NKB,' anticipates Daniel Bieri, President of the Bank Council.

Chairmanship of the Executive Board: Urs Pfluger succeeds Heinrich Leuthard

In May 2025, NKB announced that CEO Heinrich Leuthard will retire at the end of June 2026 after more than 13 years at the helm of the bank. Since the end of December 2025, it is clear who will succeed him. The Bank Council of NKB has appointed Urs Pfluger as the new Chairman of the Executive Board. The 54-year-old has been Chief Market Officer (CMO) and a member of the Executive Board at Baloise Bank AG in Solothurn since 2007 and will take up his post at NKB on 1 June 2026, assuming the chairmanship on 1 July 2026.

Satisfied customers

The NKB's customers are very satisfied with their bank and are happy to recommend it – this is shown by the customer survey conducted in spring 2025. Personal advice, employee commitment, and proximity to customers are central factors for the trust in NKB. Depending on the customer segment, up to 90 percent of respondents stated that they are very satisfied with their personal advisors.

NKB named 'Top Bank 2026'

NKB is among the top 10 banks in Switzerland in the 'Digital Offering' category. The award was presented as part of the 'Top Banks & Top Credit Cards in Switzerland 2026' study conducted by Statista, in cooperation with Handelszeitung, HZ Banking, and PME. The study evaluated factors such as the digital user experience, features and services, satisfaction, willingness to recommend, and loyalty. The study is based on an independent survey of over 3,300 people in Switzerland.

Committed to the canton of Nidwalden

In 2025, NKB once again supported numerous projects in areas such as sports, culture, social issues, the environment, education, or the economy. A major highlight was the official reception of world champion and NKB brand ambassador Alessandra Keller at the end of October at the Länderpark Stans with over 500 fans. Additionally, NKB extended various sponsorship contracts and supported numerous events or theater societies in the canton. The bank was also active in the area of sustainability through various volunteer efforts. For example, NKB employees accompanied some residents of the 'Nägeligasse' nursing home to the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz or for a walk along the Schacherseppli adventure trail in Giswil and supported the Beckenried/Emmetten forestry operation in reforesting work in the Nidwalden forest area.

Outlook

The positive business development and the strategic direction encourage NKB to look optimistically to the future. The bank is convinced it is well-positioned to meet the economic and regulatory conditions as well as the ever-changing needs of its customers. Success factors such as personal advice, employee commitment, and proximity to customers will continue to be central in the future.

The Bank Council will delve deeper into the next strategy period in 2026 and will focus on a targeted further development of the successful orientation – with clear priorities, a sense of proportion, and a consistent focus on sustainable benefits for our customers.

Last but not least, NKB will specifically invest in the further development of its sustainability efforts. The focus is on topics that are particularly relevant for the long-term impact of the bank and where new regulatory, social, and technological developments are emerging. With its sustainability strategy, NKB is oriented towards the needs of customers, employees, the region, and the environment.

'I am convinced that we are well equipped and positioned for the future. With a focus on personal advice and contemporary products and services, we are strengthening our core competencies. At the same time, we are consistently advancing the digitization of our offerings and processes to continue providing our customers with simple, secure, and contemporary solutions,' anticipates Daniel Bieri.

For further questions regarding the press release, we are happy to assist.

Media contact:
Daniel Fuhrer
Head of Marketing & Communication
+41 41 619 22 60
daniel.fuhrer@nkb.ch

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