Martin Backman appointed Aktia's new Chief Executive Officer

Aktia Bank plc               
Changes board/management/auditors
9/9/2016 at 8.30 am

Aktia Bank plc’s Board of Directors has appointed Martin Backman (46) as new Chief Executive Officer for Aktia.

Backman, M.Sc. (Technology) and M.Sc. (Economics), has a strong background from management posts on the capital markets of both Finland and Sweden. Backman currently works as President and CEO of Finnish Industry Investment Ltd.

Jussi Laitinen (60) has been Aktia’s CEO since 2008, and has now chosen to resign his office as the main part of the Action Plan that was staked out by Aktia’s Board of Directors has been accomplished. Laitinen has successfully guided the bank to a position of stable earning power and a strong capital base.  This is a suitable moment for a new CEO focusing on implementing Aktia’s growth strategy, to take over.

- I want to thank Jussi Laitinen for his time as Aktia's CEO, when he goal-oriented and successfully lead Aktia first through the financial crisis, and thereafter in the totally new business environment with low interest rates and increased regulation. Laitinen’s leadership has created a stable platform for growth, says Dag Wallgren, Chair of Aktia’s Board of Directors.

Martin Backman is a modern and strong leader with a long and documented experience of actively driving strategic development and profitability. He brings to Aktia the leadership and the insight that is required by the ongoing change in the banking sector. Aktia’s Board of Directors looks forward to seeing Backman guiding the organisation towards an accelerated and sustainable growth.

- I am grateful for the confidence, and aim to guide Aktia to a strong growth. In a rapidly changing world, Aktia must adapt its value proposition and its model of operations in order to meet the customers’ wishes regarding personal service as well as digitalized solutions, says Backman.

Martin Backman will start as CEO on 9 March 2017 at the latest. Until then, Jussi Laitinen continues as CEO.

A press conference will be held today at 1 pm at Aktia's Head Office, Mannerheimintie 14 A, 3rd floor. Dag Wallgren, Chair of Aktia's Board of Directors, Jussi Laitinen, CEO, and Martin Backman will be present at the press conference.

Aktia Bank plc

Board of Directors

For more information, please contact:
Dag Wallgren, Chair of the Board of Directors, tel. +358 40 522 4648
All media contacts to Malin Pettersson, Director, Communications, tel. +358 40 589 7941

From:
Malin Pettersson, Director, Communications, tel. +358 40 589 7941

Distribution:
Nasdaq Helsinki Oy
Central mass media
www.aktia.fi

Aktia provides a broad range of products and services within banking, insurance and real estate agency. Aktia operates mainly in coastal areas and inland growth areas. Aktia has about 300,000 customers who are served by approximately 1,000 employees at 50 branch offices and via Internet and telephone services. Aktia's shares are listed on the list of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. For more information about Aktia see www.aktia.com