Increase of FIM 6000 in Merita Plc's share capital

Increase of FIM 6,000 in Merita Plc's share capital The share capital of Merita Plc has increased as a result of conversion into equity of Convertible Bonds 1992 issued by Unitas Bank Ltd (currently Merita Plc). The amount of the increase, resulting from conversion transactions conducted between June 13, 1998 and November 20, 1998, is FIM 6,000, comprising 600 Merita shares with a nominal value of FIM 10.00 each. Subsequent to these transactions, the amount outstanding under the Convertible Bonds is FIM 903,300,000, and the maximum increase in the share capital that can result from their conversion into equity is FIM 270,990,000. Following the conversion now effected, the total number of Merita Plc shares currently in issue is 832,020,744. The increase in the share capital was reported to the Finnish Central Securities Depository Ltd on November 25, 1998 and entered in the Finnish Trade Register on December 4, 1998. The new shares will be listed on the Helsinki stock exchange as of December 7, 1998 and will rank for dividend for the first time for 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/04/19981204BIT00060/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/04/19981204BIT00060/bit0002.pdf