Standard & Poor's and Fitch IBCA affirm ratings for Merita Bank and Nordbanken

Standard & Poor's and Fitch IBCA affirm ratings for Merita Bank and Nordbanken Standard & Poor's yesterday affirmed its "A/A-1" counterparty credit ratings for Merita Bank Plc and Nordbanken AB and its "A-1" short-term counterparty credit rating on Nordbanken Hypotek AB. In its view, the outlook on Merita Bank and Nordbanken is stable. Fitch IBCA today affirmed its "A+" long-term and "F1" short-term ratings for Merita Bank and Nordbanken. The ratings reflect, among other things, the view that MeritaNordbanken's bid for Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse will be successfully concluded both in terms of integrating the new bank in the group and rebuilding the group capitalization. Management's willingness and strong commitment to rebuild core capital is, however, essential in order to maintain the rating going forward. In addition, Standard & Poor's notes that MeritaNordbanken's management has already effectively and efficiently carried through the integration of Merita Bank and Nordbanken, which was a bigger and more complex transaction. Further information: Fanny Borgström, First Vice President, tel. (+358 9) 369 50500 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/21/19990921BIT00640/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/21/19990921BIT00640/bit0002.pdf