Interim Report for ForeningsSparbanken (Swedbank)

Continued Strong Results


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Interim report for ForeningsSparbanken (Swedbank) January - June 2004 August 18, 2004

First half year in summary:


 .        Profit for the period rose by 22 percent to SEK 3,626 M (2,983)
 .        Operating profit rose by 17 percent to SEK 5,286 M (4,529)
 .        The return on equity rose to 17.6 percent (15.3)
 .        Earnings per share rose by 22 percent to SEK 6.87 (5.65)
 .        Total income rose by 4 percent to SEK 12,694 M (12,254)
 .        Net interest income rose by 3 percent to SEK 8,249 M (7,991)
 .        Net commission income rose by 23 percent to SEK 3,313 M (2,701)
 .        Net profit on financial operations rose by 22 percent to SEK
          502 M (412)
 .        Expenses excluding profit-based staff costs increased by 2
          percent
 .        Loan losses decreased by 58 percent to SEK 283 M (672)
 .        A share repurchase program has begun
 .        An agreement was signed on the sale of FI-Holding

For further information, please contact: Jan Liden, President and CEO Phone + 46 8 5859 2227

Henrik Kolga, Head of Communications Phone + 46 8 5859 2779, + 46 708 11 13 15

Jonas Blomberg, Head of Investor Relations Phone + 46s 8 5859 3322, + 46 702 650 133

This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net

The full report is available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/08/18/20040818BIT00020/wkr0001.pdf


            

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