DLL recorded a net profit of €525m for the full year 2015, up 15.6% year-on-year.

In 2015, DLL experienced strong growth across all business lines and geographies and benefited from currency effects. The result was an 8.5% year-over-year increase of the company’s managed portfolio, which now totals €37.5bn.

Bill Stephenson, chief executive officer and chairman of the executive board, said: "This step forward is the result of our relentless focus on the customer and dedicated efforts in new business development across our industries."

"2015 was a remarkable year in many ways. Not in the least because we were the first financial institution to be recognized by the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum for providing financial backing to enable the circular economy to become mainstream."

Frans Overdijk, chief financial and risk officer and member of the executive board, added: "Operational cost control and strong, thoughtful risk management also contributed to our excellent 2015 results. Our efforts in these two areas helped significantly lower our risk costs."