MeritaNordbanken year-end report 1999

Year-end report 1999: This year-end report covers the operations of MeritaNordbanken Group, which forms the Nordic Baltic Holding Group. The Group consists of the Parent Company, Nordic Baltic Holding (NBH) AB (publ) which, directly (and indirectly via Merita Plc) owns MeritaNordbanken Plc, the Parent Company in the group that includes Merita Bank Plc and Nordbanken AB (publ). See also page 10. Favorable earnings trend continues, high return on equity One owner company, listed in Stockholm and Helsinki * MeritaNordbanken Group's operating profit amounted to EUR 1 386 M (SEK 12.2 bn). * Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 10% to EUR 1 272 M (SEK 11.2 bn). * Return on equity was 20.9% (20.6% excluding items affecting comparability) * Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.53 (SEK 4.64). * The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 1.75 per share. * Operating profit for the fourth quarter of 1999 rose 19% compared with the third quarter to EUR 335 M (SEK 2.9 bn). * Completion of the new structure a single owner company. * Cash offer of NOK 24.3 bn to shareholders of Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse extended. * Streamlining of operations continues; Aleksia real estate company divested. * MeritaNordbanken is one of the world leaders in Internet banking operations; number of Internet customers exceeds one million. * Internet expansion is expected to provide possibilities in a three-year perspective for earnings growth of some EUR 250-300 M annually. * Continuing market success for funds, life insurance and mortgage loans. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/16/20000216BIT00450/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/16/20000216BIT00450/bit0002.pdf