Ringkjobing Landbobank

In 1886, a decision was made at Tim Gæstgivergaard that laid the foundation for Ringkjøbing Landbobank. The bank was established to serve the local community in West Jutland, Denmark, starting its operations in rented premises in Ringkøbing. For over a century, the bank maintained a concentrated presence, serving its local area with a focus on sound credit management and cost control. The playbook began to change in the mid-1990s. The bank initiated a significant expansion, opening its first major branch outside its home region in Herning in 1995, followed by Holstebro and Viborg. This was the start of a new chapter, moving from a purely local bank to a larger regional player. This growth was not just organic; it was accelerated by a series of strategic acquisitions. A pivotal moment came in 2018 with the merger of Nordjyske Bank into Ringkjøbing Landbobank. This deal was significant, creating one of Denmark's most efficient banks with a strong capital base. The merger was structured with Ringkjøbing Landbobank as the continuing company, but both brand names were retained to preserve local recognition. Following the merger, John Fisker, the existing CEO of Ringkjøbing Landbobank, continued to lead the now much larger entity. Today, Ringkjøbing Landbobank is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Copenhagen exchange. It operates as a regional bank in Jutland and a niche bank across Denmark, with specializations in private banking and financing for renewable energy projects like wind turbines. The company is owned by a large base of over 48,000 shareholders.