Swedbank enchance its local-bank operations

Swedbank to enhance its local-bank operations Swedbank is implementing a number of changes aimed at further enhancing its local-bank operations and linking those operations more closely to senior Group management. Swedbank is doing this to emphasise the central role played by those local banks in overall Group strategy. Birgitta Johansson-Hedberg, Swedbank CEO and Group President, will assume direct responsibility for local-bank operations. At the same time, management is being strengthened by the recruitment of Göran Gunnarsson as an executive vice-president of the bank and as Deputy Head of Local-bank Operations. Mr Gunnarsson thereby returns to Swedbank after a two-year stint as CEO of Samhall AB. The former head of Swedbank's local-bank operations, Ingrid Persson, remains a Swedbank executive vice-president and will now be dealing with retail-sector issues. "It's exciting and stimulating to be back with Swedbank again," says Göran Gunnarsson, "and I'm looking forward to further enhancing the bank's position in the Swedish market." Birgitta Johansson-Hedberg remarks, "Developments we've seen in recent years show the growing strategic importance of our local-bank segment. That's why I personally want to assume a larger portion of the operative responsibility within that segment." Other changes in Swedbank management are that Bengt-Erik Lindgren, Spintab CEO and responsible for the business area "Lending," will now become Head of Region of the bank's Central Region. He is succeeded by Mikael Inglander, currently responsible for the business area "Payments." Responsibility for the latter is being assumed by Kjell Hedman, currently Head of Region of the bank's Central Region. All three executives are also Swedbank executive vice-presidents. For further information please contact Staffan Salén, Executive VP and Head of Information and Investor Relation, FöreningsSparbanken, phone +46 8 585 927 79 or + 46 70 531 01 11 Jesper Berggren, press manager, FöreningsSparbanken, phone +46 8 585 924 78 or +46 8 70 549 37 67 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/24/20011024BIT00080/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/24/20011024BIT00080/bit0002.pdf