SAMPO PLC´S BALTIC SUBSIDIARY BANKS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SAMPO BANK PLC

SAMPO PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 19 DECEMBER 2003, at 11.00 a.m. SAMPO PLC'S BALTIC SUBSIDIARY BANKS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SAMPO BANK PLC AS Sampo Pank (Estonia) and UAB Sampo bankas (Lithuania), currently subsidiaries of Sampo plc, will be transferred to the ownership of Sampo Bank plc (Finland), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sampo plc. The authorities have to approve transaction. A application has been made to the Estonian and Lithuanian authorities, with a decision being expected in the coming weeks. The share transaction has no effect on the results. After the transfer all banking activities will be concentrated under Sampo Bank and the role of Baltic countries as part of Sampo's banking operations will strengthen. No action is required from customers and the transfer will not affect customer contracts with respect to deposits, credits or other matters. SAMPO PLC Hannu Vuola Head of Group Communications For more information, please contact: Martti Porkka, Head of Group Treasury and Funding, tel. +358 (0)10 516 0627 Hannu Vuola, Head of Group Communications, tel. +358 (0)10 516 0040 DISTRIBUTION: Helsinki Exchanges The principal media www.sampo.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/2003/12/19/20031219BIT00320/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/12/19/20031219BIT00320/wkr0002.pdf