AS Hansabanka changes into Swedbank AS on 17th of March

On the 17th of March 2009 AS Hansabanka will change its business name, and the new operating name will be Swedbank AS. This move will successfully complete the single brand implementation process initiated last year. In Estonia the bank's new name will be Swedbank AS and in Lithuania Swedbank AB.

For Swedbank's clients the name change will not entail any additional actions – all contracts and agreements, which have been entered into with AS Hansabanka or its subsidiaries, will also remain in force after the business name change. The registration number, SWIFT code and other details will remain as before.

"Our legal name change is the final phase in Swedbank single name implementation process started last year as the bank evolved as a single cross-border organization.  The brand implementation process was conducted with a view to introducing our clients with the bank’s new single name of Swedbank as conveniently as possible”, said Māris Mančinskis, the CEO of Swedbank Latvia. “By the name of Swedbank we adopted the values and  business philosophy of the former brand, giving it new added value and continuing to develop as a strong cross-border organization in all of the markets in which we operate."

Swedbank's brand change process was initiated on the 15th of September 2009. The single brand implementation process was organized gradually and transparently over the year so that it would be as smooth as possible for the bank’s clients and cooperation partners.

After the business name change on 17th of March, the new legal name – Swedbank AS – will be used in all contracts, agreements and other documents. As a service-oriented organization, which is mindful of the comfort of its clients, also after the legal name change Swedbank will accept documents where the former legal name will be stated.

About Swedbank Group
Swedbank has been Hansabank’s strategic investor already since 1998. In Spring 2005, Swedbank Group acquired 100% stake in AS Hansapank (Estonia), which owns 99.99% of shares in AS Hansabanka (Latvia). The origins of Swedbank Group date back to 1820 when the first savings bank was set up in Gothenburg. Today Swedbank Group is active not only in Sweden, the Baltics, Russia, and Ukraine but also in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, USA, China, and Japan. The Group employs over 20,000 people. Over 9 million retail clients and 500,000 corporate clients are served in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together. The Swedbank brand was created in close cooperation between FöreningsSparbanken and Hansabank Group.

Questions and answers concerning legal name change to Swedbank AS on 17 March 2009

What and when will change?

On 17th of March, AS Hansabanka changes into Swedbank AS.
On the 17th of March 2009 AS Hansabanka will change its business name, and the new operating name will be Swedbank AS. This move will successfully complete the single brand implementation process initiated last year. In Estonia the bank's new name will be “Swedbank" AS and in Lithuania "Swedbank" AB.
We have been active in 14 countries of the world under the single Swedbank brand – the name of the North European finance leader – as a strong cross-border organization with common values and goals already since last autumn.

What is the reason behind implementation of the single Swedbank name?

Our goal – to develop as a powerful cross-border organization and service leader on European scale and to be the best partner for our clients in all markets, where we operate, offering increasingly better and appropriate solutions, products and service.
Swedbank in Latvia is the financial market leader, as well as reputation and service leader. In Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania we offer widest variety of products, biggest distribution network and most comfortable environment for dealing with financial matters. The single brand means being a part of the leader in North European financial market – Swedbank Group – and its long-term commitment to Latvia. Being a part of an international group gives our clients greater security at a time of economic transformation – it is better to be with a strong partner when the times are difficult.

What will change for the clients after the business name change?

The legal name change is the final phase in Swedbank single name implementation process started last year as the bank evolved as a single cross-border organization.  The brand implementation process was conducted with a view to introducing our clients with the bank’s new single name of Swedbank as conveniently as possible.

For Swedbank's clients the name change will not entail any additional actions – all contracts and agreements, which have been entered into with AS Hansabanka or its subsidiaries, will also remain in force after the business name change. There will be no need to come to the bank or sign any new agreements. All accounts, investments, loans, and bank cards will continue in force also after the name change. The registration number, SWIFT code and other details will remain as before.

What will be the legal details of Swedbank AS?

Swedbank's contacts and legal details (except for the legal name) will remain the same:
Swedbank AS legal details:
Legal name:  Swedbank AS
Address: Balasta dambis 1a, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia
Fax: 67 024 400
Bank’s code, BIC/SWIFT code: HABALV22
Single registration number with the Commercial Register: 40003074764
Website: www.swedbank.lv

Whom must I address my applications to?

Until 17th March it is legally correct to submit all applications to AS Hansabank and after that date - to Swedbank AS.

As a service-oriented organization, which is mindful of the comfort of its clients, also after the legal name change Swedbank will accept documents where the former legal name will be stated. However, for the sake of legal accuracy please start using our new legal name Swedbank AS from 17 March.

What will be the legal names of other Swedbank Group companies?

The names of other Swedbank Group companies in Latvia will also be changed along with AS Hansabanka. Their names will be as have been used in Latvia in communication since the brand implementation was started in last autumn, namely: