The Nomination Committee has been informed by Lars O Grönstedt, Chairman of the Board of Handelsbanken, that he will be declining re-election to the board at the Annual General Meeting on April 23, 2008. The background is that he has a differing opinion than the others on the board about the design of the board work as well as the bank's strategy. The board of Handelsbanken has confirmed that such is the case.

 

The Nomination Committee has discussed the situation that has arisen and now proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Hans Larsson, who is currently Vice Chairman of Handelsbanken, be elected as the new Chairman. Lars O Grönstedt is stepping down from the board, and it has been proposed that it thereby consist of 12 members instead of 13 as previously.

 

Hans Larsson is a former CEO of Swedish Match, Esselte and Nordstjernan, among other companies, and in addition to serving as Vice Chairman of Handelsbanken, he is currently Chairman of the Board of Nobia, Biolight International and Attendo Holding, among others.

 

With respect to directors' fees, the proposal stands in accordance with the previous notice of the Annual General Meeting with respect to directors elected by the AGM. The fee payable to the Chairman of the Board is proposed to be SEK 2,350,000, an increase of SEK 1,000,000 compared with the previous proposal.

 

The Nomination Committee of Svenska Handelsbanken