Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Swedish institutional investors rank Handelsbanken as the No.1 provider of credit products on the capital markets, including Eurobonds, corporate bonds and various types of commercial paper. In its annual survey, the Prospera market research institute asked Sweden's 26 largest financial institutions to rank 19 international providers of credit products. The criteria used to select the winners for 2009 included market knowledge, business ideas, business implementation, service level, ethical standards and pricing.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) In 2008, new savings in capital-protected products in Sweden totalled SEK 46.1bn. New statistics from VPC AB (the Swedish Central Securities Depository and Clearing Organisation) show that the money was primarily invested in equity-linked bonds.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Handelsbanken will redeem the below specified perpetual subordinated loan amounting to GBP 275 million at the first call date on 4 March 2009.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Handelsbanken Capital Markets has been acclaimed as Scandinavia's best foreign exchange bank. Handelsbanken was also awarded the title of Sweden's best foreign exchange bank. The awards have been made by the international financial magazine Global Finance. The criteria used to select the winners for 2009 included transaction volume, market share, scope of global coverage, customer service, pricing and technical innovativeness.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Handelsbanken Liv's total return for the whole of 2008 was -1.2 percent.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Until now, the Swedish Tier 1 capital regulations have set a limit of 15 percent on the proportion of hybrid Tier 1 capital loans that may be included as Tier 1 capital. However, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority has now announced that Swedish banks, like their counterparts in most EU countries, can include up to 30 percent in hybrid Tier 1 capital loans.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Handelsbanken has become the first Nordic bank in China to receive a licence to pursue banking operations in the Chinese currency, the renminbi (CNY).

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) In accordance with a decision taken by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Handelsbanken on 23 April 2008, the nomination committee shall have five members. Four of the members (the "Shareholders' Representatives") shall represent the Bank's four largest shareholders/shareholder groups in terms of votes, according to shareholder information as at 31 August from the VPC (the Swedish Central Securities Depository and Clearing Organisation), or which by some other means prove to be among the largest shareholders (the "Largest Shareholders") on this date; the fifth member shall be the Chairman of the Board.

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Summary of Q3 2008, compared with Q2 2008 * Operating profits increased by 9% to SEK 3,758m (3,433) * Net interest income rose by 8% to SEK 4,856m (4,494) * The average volume of loans to the public increased by 4% and household deposits in Sweden went up by 4% * Expenses decreased by 2% to SEK 3,133m (3,195) * Loan losses were SEK 231m (571) * Handelsbanken opened 5 new branches and acquired 14 branches through a public offer for Lokalbanken i Nordsjælland A/S which was completed in October * Handelsbanken has the most satisfied customers in the Nordic countries according to the SKI/EPSI 2008 survey

Handelsbanken (STO:SHBA) Handelsbanken has studied the Swedish government's proposal to the Council on Legislation concerning stabilisation measures for the Swedish financial system, announced on 20 October 2008.