October 29, 2004

Continued high profitability and strong profit trend

January - September 2004 in summary:

· Profit for the period rose by 42 percent to SEK 6,708 M (4,719)
· The sale of FI-Holding was finalized and generated a capital gain of SEK 1,270 M
· Excluding capital gains, profit for the period rose by 25 percent to SEK 5,438 M (4,367)
· Operating profit rose by 29 percent to SEK 9,153 M (7,097)
· The return on equity rose to 21.6 percent (16.0)
· Earnings per share rose by 43 percent to SEK 12.74 (8.94)
· Total income rose by 10 percent to SEK 20,144 M (18,270)
· Net interest income rose by 2 percent to SEK 12,350 M (12,105)
· Net commission income rose by 19 percent to SEK 4,973 M (4,177)
· Excluding profit-based staff costs and costs for personnel changes, expenses decreased by 1 percent
· Loan losses decreased by 52 percent to SEK 396 M (832)
· FöreningsSparbanken was named...