Handelsbanken biggest for mutual funds in 2010

Of all the players on the Swedish mutual funds market, Handelsbanken had the largest net inflows in 2010, as is evident in new figures from Svensk Fondstatistik.

More than one in five new kronor invested in the Swedish mutual funds market was invested in one of Handelsbanken's funds.

Katja Bergqvist, chief executive of Handelsbanken Fonder, points to a series of factors behind the increase:

"We are seeing a growing interest in our mutual funds from private individuals and institutions alike - chiefly due to our very strong fund management performance. Naturally, good returns in relation to risk are always a sound reason for selecting a fund. Also, the breadth of our product range means that we can offer everything from well-balanced solutions with good risk diversification to niche, special funds for more demanding customers."

In addition, Handelsbanken has had a very strong inflow of new customers in recent years.

"This is evident in the figures. Our branches have done a superb job, providing these new customers with good advice for their mutual fund savings. In new savings, we have seen the greatest increase in the funds that have performed best over the year, including emerging markets funds and Nordic funds."

An additional factor, according to Katja Bergqvist, is that professional investors - major institutions - are selecting Handelsbanken's funds to a greater extent.

Of the total net deposits on the Swedish mutual funds market last year, 20.7 per cent were in Handelsbanken's funds. The largest increase was in equity funds (excluding premium pension funds), where 24.7 per cent of new deposits were with Handelsbanken Fonder.

For further information, please contact:

Katja Bergqvist, Handelsbanken Fonder, +46 8 22 92 20
Johan Lagerström, Head of Corporate Communications, +46 8 701 1395
 mobile:  +46 70 265 8014