Half-year figures: NWB Bank provides over €6 billion in financing for public investments, contributing to a climate-adaptive and resilient society

• Climate change and extreme weather events are having an ever-greater impact on Dutch and European society. Water authorities and drinking water companies face major challenges in dealing with drought, water availability and fluctuating water quality.
• In the first half of 2026, NWB Bank provided over €6 billion in financing for public investment, contributing to a climate-adaptive and resilient society. This is over €1 billion more than in the first half of 2025, bringing the total loan portfolio to €61 billion.
• This growth stems primarily from three key sectors that are crucial to a resilient society: the water authorities and drinking water companies, social housing and energy grid operators, which are working hard to alleviate grid congestion and facilitate the energy transition.

In the first half of 2026, NWB Bank provided over €6 billion in new long-term loans to its clients, bringing the loan portfolio to a record €61 billion. Despite capital market volatility caused by geopolitical developments and the resulting economic uncertainty, NWB Bank was well positioned to secure attractive and sustainable financing. In total, we raised €4.1 billion on the international capital markets, more than half through the issuance of ESG bonds. Net profit for the first six months of 2026 stood at €61 million, slightly below last year’s level due to a lower result from financial transactions, while net interest income increased. The bank’s capital and liquidity ratios remain strong. 

Lidwin van Velden, CEO of NWB Bank: ‘Our clients invest in infrastructure that is essential for a resilient society. Whether it’s flood defences, climate adaptation, affordable housing or a reliable drinking water supply, access to appropriate financing is essential to making these investments possible. We remain committed to facilitating these social investments on the most favourable terms possible. Our signing of the “Bouwtafel Waterzuinige Wijken” initiative, a construction forum for water-efficient neighbourhoods, reflects this commitment and underlines our focus on a sustainable living environment and a future-proof water supply.’

Lending
In the first half of 2026, NWB Bank provided over €6 billion in new financing, primarily in the water, housing and energy transition sectors. This included €494 million in new lending to Dutch water authorities, consolidating NWB Bank’s position as their leading financier. Drinking water companies received €100 million in new loans, while €3.8 billion went to housing associations, the client group with the greatest financing needs.

In addition, NWB Bank provided €700 million in new financing to energy grid operators for investments in energy infrastructure to reduce grid congestion.

Funding
Despite capital market volatility linked to geopolitical developments and their macroeconomic consequences, NWB Bank remained well positioned to raise funds on attractive and sustainable terms. This is underpinned by the bank’s high creditworthiness – reflected in its AAA credit ratings, equal to that of the Dutch state – and its essential role in financing the Dutch public (water) sector. In total, NWB Bank raised €4.1 billion in the first half of 2026, more than half through the issuance of a Water Bond and Social Bonds. This success was partly attributable to the ‘reverse roadshow’ organised by the bank in the Netherlands. The event gave investors an opportunity to learn more about the bank’s vision and, during visits to a water authority and a housing association, to see first-hand the direct impact of their investments.

Capital and liquidity ratios remain strong
The bank’s financial position remained very strong in the first half of 2026, with all capital and liquidity ratios well above the regulatory requirements. The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 35.0% at the end of June (year-end 2025: 36.8%). Including the bank’s hybrid capital (AT1), the Tier 1 ratio stood at 40.6% (year-end 2025: 42.8%).

The leverage ratio stood at 9.1% at the end of June (year-end 2025: 39.2%), well above the minimum requirement of 3%. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) stood at 151%, comfortably above the minimum requirement of 100% (year-end 2025: 235%). The Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) was also well above its minimum requirement of 100%, at 138% (year-end 2025: 148%).

Outlook
The societal challenges facing our clients will require substantial investment in the years ahead. These investments are primarily needed for dike reinforcement, wastewater treatment, drinking water supply, the construction of new social housing and the sustainability improvements of existing social housing. By providing appropriate financing on favourable terms, NWB Bank supports a significant part of the Netherlands’ vital infrastructure and contributes to a resilient and sustainable society.

NWB Bank continues to fulfil its role as a social financier by providing the Dutch public sector with reliable, sustainable financing. We expect demand for credit from our clients to remain strong and our loan portfolio to continue growing. Given ongoing geopolitical tensions and the associated macroeconomic uncertainty, we are not providing financial projections for the remainder of 2026.

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