Nordea´s banking subsidiaries upgraded by Fitch

Nordea´s banking subsidiaries upgraded by Fitch Fitch, the international rating agency, has upgraded the Long and Short- term ratings of the banking subsidiaries of Nordea as follows: Norway's Christiania Bank - LT to 'AA-' (AA minus) from 'A+'; ST to 'F1+' from 'F1' Finland's Merita Bank - LT to 'AA-' (AA minus) from 'A+'; ST to 'F1+' from 'F1' Sweden's Nordbanken - LT to 'AA-' (AA minus) from 'A+'; ST to 'F1+' from 'F1' Denmark's Unibank - LT to 'AA-' (AA minus) from 'A+'; ST to 'F1+' from 'F1' The outlook on all the Long-term ratings has been changed to stable from positive. In addition, the individual rating of Unibank has been upgraded to 'B' from 'B/C'. The Individual ratings of the other banks are affirmed at 'B'. Similarly, the '2' support ratings of all four banks are affirmed. According to Fitch the rating action reflects the steady progress of Nordea's pan-Nordic strategy, which has resulted in an exceptionally well diversified, and increasingly integrated, financial services group. In addition, the group has recently further strengthened its position in Sweden with the announcement in July that it is to acquire Postgirot Bank from the Swedish Post Office. For further information: Jakob Grinbaum, Group Treasury, +46 8 614 7891 Fanny Borgström, Group Treasury, +358 9 369 50500 Sigurd Carlsen, Investor Relations, +46 8 614 7852 Erik Evrén, Group Media Relations, +46 8 614 8611 www.fitchibca.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/08/17/20010817BIT00630/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/08/17/20010817BIT00630/bit0001.pdf