Sparebankstiftelsen - DNB NOR

Over the years Norway´s savings banks have always donated a percentage of their profits to the local communities in which they have operated.  Sparebankstiftelsen DNB NOR is continuing to pursue this tradition.

The foundation is the second largest owner of Norway´s largest financial group, DNB.

What do we contribute to?

Most of our contributions are made to cultural and activity projects in Norway, ranging from small local projects to large national ones. 

We support projects that generate long-term assets, engage many people, involve volunteers and create activities in local communities.

Grants are donated to projects throughout Norway, but the foundation´s Statutes stipulate that when allocating gifts, reasonable consideration should be given to the national origins of such funds, i.e. Eastern Norway.

Applications

The foundation has two annual application deadlines for contributions, in February and September, and applications are made directly via our Norwegian website.

Charitable investments

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB NOR also invests in pictorial art and stringed instruments for the benefit of the public.

The foundation is building up a substantial art collection which is loaned out to Norwegian art museums.

Furthermore, We have also invested in old stringed instruments that are loaned out to established and talented Norwegian musicians.

Moreover, in 2008, the foundation purchased a vast and unique photo collection of almost four million photographs, from 1880 to 2005, including a range of valuable cameras. The collection is made available to the general public at the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology.

Capital basis

The DnB NOR Savings Bank Foundation´s capital, is the result of almost 200 years of well-managed banking operations, and originates from the Gjensidige NOR Savingsbank, which later on merged with DnB to form the DnB NOR Group. DnB NOR changed its name to DNB in November 2011.

The foundation was formed in 2002 when Gjensidige NOR Sparebank was converted into a limited liability company. The bank´s core capital was converted into shares and the authorities decided that any capital not in the possession of external owners should be owned and managed by a foundation. 

The foundation´s capital consists of the accumulated profits that have resulted from the savings bank´s operations ever since Christiania Sparebank was established in 1822. 

Our two objectives:

• To be a long-term owner of DNB.  
• To preserve the traditions pursued by Norway´s savings banks, e.g. by continuing the savings bank´s tradition of donating a percentage of its profits to charitable causes.