When the going get tough...

When the going get tough... Fondsfinans Research Sparebank 1 SR Bank 2Q15 Update Recommendation: BUY Target NOK 62 13 August 2015 Prepared by Analyst: Geir Kristiansen, Fondsfinans AS, tel: 23 11 30 11, e-mail: gk@fondsfinans.no This report was prepared by an analyst engaged by Fondsfinans AS, the Norwegian affiliate of Fondsfinans Inc., who is not registered as a research analyst with FINRA or subject to FINRA rules governing research. This report is not a product of Fondsfinans Inc. See page 12 of this report for Important Disclosure Information. 1

Continues to deliver 2Q15 UPDATE SR-Bank continues to deliver strong profitability despite low oil price. We make small changes in estimates and keep our NOK 62 target price. We are convinced that the current share price will prove to be an excellent entry point in a long-term perspective. Core revenues in line - In sum, NII and net commissions were in line with estimates - Basis swaps (covered bond company) a drag on net financials - Loan losses at low levels resilient to oil price in a 12-18 month perspective We make small changes in estimates - Lower transferred volumes give higher NII and lower net commissions - Marginally higher costs Fee generating business have higher C/I - Lower losses, particularly in 2015E. We expect losses to peak in 4Q16 at 0.5% An unlikely worst-case loan loss scenario might be 3.5% of loans in a single year - Our valuation would fall to NOK 52 per share, given unchanged discount rate and long-term RoE and assuming no equity injection. A NOK 2bn share issue at NOK 40 per share would reduce fair value to NOK 50 - Equal to 22% of commercial real estate loan portfolio or 85% of real estate exposure in the Stavanger region or 100% of the real estate portfolio rented to oil companies 2

Lower estimates ESTIMATES 2Q15 estimates Key figures (NOKm) Actual FF est. Cons. Dev. FF Dev. 1Q15 2Q15 2Q15 cons. Net interest income 639 623 634 2.6 % 0.8 % Net commissions 399 415 423-3.7 % -5.7 % Other op.revenues 94 141 160-33.5 % -41.3 % Total revenues 1,132 1,179 1,217-4.0 % -7.0 % Total OPEX 536 521 519 2.9 % 3.3 % Pre-provision profit (PPP) 596 658 698-9.4 % -14.6 % Loan losses 44 96 102-54.3 % -56.9 % Pre-tax profit (PTP) 552 562 596-1.7 % -7.4 % Net profit 431 444 462-2.8 % -6.7 % EPS 1.69 1.73 1.82-2.5 % -7.1 % Changes in full-year estimates Estimate changes Curr. Prev. Curr. Prev. Change (%) NOKm 2015E 2015E 2016E 2016E 2015E 2016E Net interest income 2,553 2,514 2,621 2,545 1.6 % 3.0 % Non-interest income 2,330 2,421 2,353 2,425-3.8 % -3.0 % Total revenues 4,883 4,935 4,975 4,969-1.1 % 0.1 % OPEX -2,157-2,117-2,222-2,164 1.9 % 2.7 % Pre-provision profit 2,725 2,818 2,752 2,805-3.3 % -1.9 % Loan losses -276-399 -653-681 -30.9 % -4.1 % Pre-tax profit (PTP) 2,450 2,418 2,099 2,124 1.3 % -1.2 % Tax expense -531-508 -460-447 4.6 % 2.9 % Net profit 1,918 1,910 1,639 1,678 0.4 % -2.3 % EPS (NOK) 7.5 7.5 6.4 6.6 0.0 % -2.9 % Dividend (BOK) 2.2 2.2 2.6 2.6 2.3 % -1.4 % Sum of NII and net commissions in line - Distribution varies with transferred volumes Weak other income - Losses on basis swaps in Boligkreditt Higher operating costs - Higher underlying growth than target - Acquisitions Low loan losses - Reversal of collective impairments NOK 10m Source: SR Bank, Inquiry Financial, Fondsfinans research Lower transferred volumes - Higher NII, lower net commissions Marginally higher costs Lower losses, particularly in 2015E - Still strong credit quality 3

Moderate lending growth LENDING Customer lending (NOKm) and growth NOKb 195 190 185 180 175 170 165 160 6.0 % 4.3 % 2.8 % 5.9 % 5.4 % 7.6 % 7.8 % 5.4 % 2.9 % 1.6 % 1.2 % 1.8 % 3.0 % 3.3 % % 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 7.8% growth YoY in 2Q15E, including transferred volumes - Expected 6% growth - Retail +4.7% - Corporate +13.8% (11.3% ex. curr.) 155 Gross lending to customers Growth YoY 0% Transferred volumes down NOK 2.9bn. - NOK 31.5bn, 27% of total lending We expect 2% lending growth in 2016 Source: SR Bank, Fondsfinans research 4

SPAREBANK 1 SR-BANK - 2Q15 UPDATE We expect net interest margin to bottom out in 3Q15 NII Net interest income and margin NOKm 800 1.43% 1.47% 1.51% 1.49% 1.45% 1.41% 1.42% 1.36% 1.36% 1.36% 1.41% 1.43% 1.43% 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 % 1.60% 1.40% 1.20% 1.00% 0.80% 0.60% NIM -4 bps in 2Q15 QoQ Lower lending margins (QoQ) - Retail: 1.64% (-0.31%) - Corporate: 2.58% (-0.08%) 0 NII NIM 0.40% Higher deposit margins - Retail: -0.25% (+0.30%) - Corporate: -0.38% (+0.08%) Deposit to loan ratio: 60% (59%) Source: SR-Bank, Fondsfinans research 5

Cost/Income stabilizing around 45% OPERATING COSTS Cost/Income NOKm 580 560 540 520 500 480 460 42.5 % 47.3 % 45.1 % 42.5 % 47.3 % 45.9 % 45.3 % 44.9 % 43.6 % 44.1 % 43.5 % 43.5 % 43.6 % % 50% 48% 46% 44% 42% 40% 38% 36% 34% 32% 30% Cost growth guidance - 0-2% annually - Our estimate: 2.5% growth ex. one-offs - Higher than guidance due to acquisitions and cost inflation OPEX C/I Source: SR Bank,, Fondsfinans research 6

Loan losses are still at low levels LOAN LOSSES Nominal and relative loan losses NOKm 250.0 200.0 150.0 % 0.60% 0.50% 0.40% Non-performing and other problem loans down from 0.66% to 0.64% of loans in 2Q15 100.0 50.0 0.30% 0.20% 0.10% Lay-offs in the oil industry will probably lead to higher losses going forward 0.0 LLP LLP in % of AGL (ann.) 0.00% Total exposure to oil operations is 8.9% of EAD Probability of default 2.1% Resilient to low oil price in a 12-18 month perspective Source: SR Bank, Fondsfinans research 7

From premium valuation to discount vs regional peers VALUATION Key figures Key figures (NOKm) 2013 2014 2015E 2016E 2017E 2Q15 3Q15E Net interest income (NII) 2,119 2,404 2,553 2,621 2,831 639 629 Other op.revenues 2,348 2,510 2,330 2,353 2,436 493 610 Total operating revenues 4,467 4,914 4,883 4,975 5,267 1,132 1,239 Operating costs -2,019-2,056-2,157-2,222-2,276-536 -541 Pre-provision profit (PPP) 2,448 2,858 2,725 2,752 2,990 596 698 Loan losses -132-257 -276-653 -541-44 -53 Pre-tax profit (PTP) 2,316 2,601 2,450 2,099 2,450 552 645 Taxes -487-506 -531-460 -537-121 -141 Net profit 1,829 2,095 1,918 1,639 1,913 431 504 EPEC 8.0 8.2 7.5 6.4 7.5 1.7 2.0 BPS 55.0 60.2 66.4 70.6 75.5 62.5 64.5 DPS 1.6 2.0 2.2 2.6 3.7 Net interest income 1.42% 1.45% 1.42% 1.40% 1.47% 1.43% 1.36% Loan losses (%) 0.11% 0.18% 0.18% 0.42% 0.33% 0.12% 0.14% Core equity capital ratio 11.1 % 11.5 % 12.6 % 13.7 % 14.0 % 12.3 % 12.4 % (CET Yield 1) 3.5 % 3.5 % 4.5 % 5.2 % 7.5 % P/E 6.3 7.0 6.6 7.8 6.6 P/B 0.83 0.95 0.75 0.70 0.66 ROE 13.7 % 14.2 % 11.8 % 9.4 % 10.2 % 10.8 % 12.4 % NOK 62 target implies P/B at 1.0x 2Q15 and P/E at 9.9x 2016E We expect falling profitability to reach bottom in 2016 - RoE 9.2% Still room for increasing dividends - CET 1 14% in 2017 - Flexibility to monitor capitalization Source: SR-Bank, Fondsfinans research 8

Full year and quarterly estimates ESTIMATES INCOME STATEMENT 2014 2015E 2016E 2017E 2Q15 3Q15E 4Q15E 1Q16E 2Q16E 3Q16E 4Q16E 1Q17E Net interest income 2,404 2,553 2,621 2,831 639 629 658 626 627 663 706 669 Net commission income 1,292 1,620 1,642 1,698 398 406 409 406 406 413 417 413 Other income 440 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Total core income 4,136 4,177 4,267 4,532 1,038 1,036 1,069 1,033 1,035 1,076 1,123 1,083 Total expenses -2,056-2,157-2,222-2,276-536 -541-551 -555-549 -554-564 -569 Pre-provision profit (core items) 2,080 2,020 2,045 2,256 502 495 518 478 486 522 559 515 Loan loss provision -257-276 -653-541 -44-53 -91-134 -153-173 -194-157 Pre-tax profit (core items) 1,823 1,744 1,392 1,715 458 442 427 344 333 350 365 358 Total financial income 778 705 707 734 94 203 197 175 177 181 173 182 Pre-tax profit 2,601 2,450 2,099 2,450 552 645 624 520 510 531 539 539 Net profit (reported) 2,095 1,918 1,639 1,913 431 504 487 406 398 414 421 421 EPS (rep.) 8.2 7.5 6.4 7.5 1.7 2.0 1.9 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 EPS (adj.) 7.8 7.4 7.3 7.8 1.7 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.0 1.8 BALANCE SHEET 2014 2015E 2016E 2017E 2Q15 3Q15E 4Q15E 1Q16E 2Q16E 3Q16E 4Q16E 1Q17E Net lending to customers 140,920 152,009 155,264 161,511 149,472 151,195 152,009 152,028 152,291 153,387 155,264 157,469 Total assets 174,926 185,550 189,590 197,493 181,889 183,983 185,550 185,572 185,317 186,651 189,590 192,273 Total equity 15,403 16,989 18,053 19,310 15,998 16,502 16,989 17,395 17,218 17,632 18,053 18,474 Source: SR-Bank, Fondsfinans research 9

We rate SpareBank 1 SR Bank MEDIUM risk RISK ASSESSMENT High housing prices and high gross debt level to private individuals could trigger a substantial negative price reaction in the future SpareBank 1 SR-Banks has substantial direct and indirect exposure to the oil industry. Low oil prices is a significant risk factor in the medium and long term The bank has exposure to the financial markets. Higher volatility and increased risk premium and credit spreads could affect income and valuations negatively 10

Share information SRBANK Share data Share data Sector Banks Bloomberg SRBANK NO Equity Risk rating Low Outstanding shares (million) 255.8 Market cap (NOK billion) 12.7 Total assets (NOK billion) 184.0 Net lending (NOK billion) 151.2 Free float 59% Average volume (1000s last 12m) 113.3 High/low 52w 61.3/ 46.1 Weight PCC index 0.69% Rel. Perf 3/6/12-8/ -2/ -13 Abs. Perf. 3/6/12-13/ 0/ -10 Shareholders Major shareholders as of 03/07/2015 Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank 30.7 % 78,646 Gjensidige Forsikring 10.5 % 26,748 State Street Corp 6.8 % 17,278 Morgan Stanley 2.9 % 7,357 Wimoh Invest As 2.8 % 7,120 Government Pension F 2.3 % 5,761 J.P. Morgan 2.0 % 5,129 Pear Tree Advisors I 1.8 % 4,718 Skagen As 1.1 % 2,940 SEB 1.0 % 2,603 Nordea Bank AB 1.0 % 2,565 Clipper AS 1.0 % 2,525 Total number of EC shares 63.9 % 255,800 Source: Bloomberg, Fondsfinans research 11

Definitions of ratings Buy Low risk: with a potential of min 5%. Medium risk: with a potential of min 10%. High risk: with a potential of min 20%. Neutral Low risk: -5% to +5%. Medium risk: -10% to +10%. High risk: -20% to +20%. Sell Low risk: min -5%. Medium risk: min -10%. High risk: min -20%. Risk ratings are based on price volatility, fundamental criteria and perceived risk. Ratings are: Low (L), Medium (M) and High (H). Target: Our valuation as of today. Time frame of target: Target is what we value the share as of today. Recommendation distribution as of 10.08.15: Companies in each recommendation category that have been investment banking clients over the past 12 months: Recommendation No Percent Recommendation No Percent Buy 43 67 % Buy 2 5 % Neutral 9 14 % Neutral 1 11 % Sell 12 19 % Sell 0 0 % Total 64 100 % Total 3 Our intention is to issue UPDATE and update research on a quarterly basis. Our investment recommendation is elaborated in accordance with The Norwegian Securities Dealers Associations standards. This report has not been sent to the company for correction of any factual errors. Fondsfinans is organized with Chinese walls between the Corporate Department and the Research/Broking Department. In addition, Fondsfinans has internal instructions and guidelines for handling sensitive information. The analyst receives compensation that is impacted by overall firm profitability, including investment banking activities. Fondsfinans is under supervision of The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway. The recommendation has not been changed from BUY. The previous recommendation was issued 03.07.15. Ownership per 07.08.15 in Sparebank 1 SR Bank: Analyst (including his/her closely related persons or companies): 0, corresponding to 0% of the company share capital Employees (including their respective closely related persons or companies): 0, corresponding to 0% of the company share capital Group Fondsfinans (including the holdings of its Chairman, his spouse and their closely related companies, Erik Must AS and its 100% controlled subsidiaries): 63.591, corresponding to 0% of the company share capital Fondsfinans may hold shares in Sparebank 1 SR Bank as a result of daily trading/market making. Information on such holdings is not given when of non-significant value. Fondsfinans does not act as market maker in Sparebank 1 SR Bank. Fondsfinans has not acted as corporate adviser, lead manager in IPO etc. during the past 12 months. This report was issued and distributed 13.08.15. Disclaimer Our research and general presentations, also available at our website www.fondsfinans.no, are provided for information purposes only. They should not be used or considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any financial instruments. Any opinion expressed are subject to change without prior notice. Our research and presentations are based on information from various sources believed to be reliable. Although all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information herein is not misleading Fondsfinans AS makes no representation or warranty expressed or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither Fondsfinans AS, its partners and employees, nor any other person connected with our research and presentations, accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss of any kind arising out of the use or reliance on the information given. They do not take into account the specific investment objectives and financial situation of any recipient. Investors seeking to buy or sell any financial instruments discussed or recommended in our research or in separate presentations, should seek independent financial advice relating thereto. Our research and materials from separate presentations may not be distributed, quoted from or reproduced for any purpose without written approval by Fondsfinans AS. Disclosure of interests Fondsfinans AS is constantly seeking investment-banking mandates, and may at any time perform investment banking or other services or solicit investment banking or other mandates from companies covered in our analysis and presentations. Fondsfinans AS may from time to time as part of its investment services hold positions in securities covered in our research and presentations. In order to avoid any conflict of interests Fondsfinans AS and its employees will always follow very strictly all internal regulations, recommendations from the Norwegian securities dealers association and relevant legislation and regulations from the supervisory official authorities. Internal holdings will be specified as part of shareholder information. Distribution in the United States Research reports are prepared by Fondsfinans AS for information purposes only. Fondsfinans AS and its employees are not subject to the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) governing research analyst conflicts. The research reports are intended for distribution in the United States solely to major U.S. institutional investors as defined in rule 15a-6 under the United States securities exchange act of 1934, as amended and may not be furnished to any other person in the United States. Each major U.S. institutional investor that receives a copy of a Fondsfinans AS research report by its acceptance thereof represents and agrees that it shall not distribute or provide copies to any other person. Reports are prepared by Fondsfinans AS and distributed to major U.S. institutional investors under rule 15a-6(a)(2). These research reports are prepared by Fondsfinans AS and distributed in the United States by Fondsfinans Inc. Under rule 15a-6(a)(2). any U.S. Person receiving these reports that desires to effect transactions in any securities discussed within the report should call or write Fondsfinans Inc., a member of FINRA. 12