Interim report for ForeningsSparbanken (Swedbank) January-September 1998".

FöreningsSparbanken reports continued stable development Good start to "second half" * Operating profit rises by 7 per cent to SEK 5,040 M (4,730) * Operating profit excluding merger costs rises to SEK 5,706 M (5,094) * Loan losses decline by 35 per cent to SEK 976 M (1,500) * Low international risk exposure * Nordic/Baltic strategy gradually implemented * Wholly owned SparFond gains in pension savings * Increased market shares in new growth areas * The new symbol already the most widely recognized trademark in the Swedish banking market * Dividend of SEK 7 per share (6) announced * Share capital rise through proposed bonus issue 1:2 ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/10/21/19981021BIT00230/Q3-98.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/10/21/19981021BIT00230/FSPAeng.pdf