Hansapank                     NEWS RELEASE                09/15/2003 09:30



BOARD MEMBER ARUNAS SIKSTA TO RESIGN FROM HANSABANK



Today, Arunas Siksta, Chairman of the Board of Lithuanian Hansabankas

and member of the Board of Hansabank, submitted his letter of

resignation to the Chairman of Hansabank Council.



The Chairman of the Council, Anders Sahlén, said that it was

unfortunate to learn that Arunas Siksta has decided to leave the bank.



"The value of his contribution to Hansabank is unquestionable, both in

building up Hansabankas’ organization and in the successful

integration of Hansabankas with the privatized Lithuanian Savings

Bank. At the same time I recognize that a man of his capabilities may

have ambitions to find new challenges in other businesses."



Arunas Siksta: "I appreciate very much the experience I have gained

during my long service with Hansabank. I am going with confidence and

a clean breast since I know that I leave behind a team of skilful and

professional specialists and managers dedicated to providing excellent

service to clients and to further developing the bank."



Anders Sahlén said that he is going to propose to the Council that the

current vice-chairman of the Board of Hansabankas, Darius Nedzinskas

be appointed as a member of the Board of Hansabank and as the Chief

Executive of Hansabankas. The Council will convene for its next

regular meeting on September 24th.



"Darius Nedzinskas has been with Hansabankas from the very beginning,

proving himself to be a very skilled and reliable banker. I will be

pleased to present his candidacy to the Council", said Anders Sahlén.



CEO Indrek Neivelt felt that Hansabank owes much of its today’s

success in Lithuania to Arunas Siksta. "The best way to judge a leader

is by results. Arunas has clearly proven himself very capable by

starting banking operations from scratch and building Hansabankas into

the leading retail bank in Lithuania. I place especially high value on

his ability to unite and motivate people", commented Neivelt.



Indrek Neivelt was happy to state that in Darius Nedzinskas the Group

has found a worthy successor to Arunas Siksta. He pointed out Darius’s

extensive experience in crediting which is the heart of the banking

business. Neivelt said that apart from being a highly deemed

specialist, Darius Nedzinskas is an inspiring leader and has very high

reputation both in the organization and the Lithuanian society.



Additional information:



Anders Sahlen

Chairman of the Council, Hansabank

Tel. +468 585 93590



Indrek Neivelt

Chairman of the Board, Hansabank

Tel. +372 613 1372





Siim Männik

Corporate Communications and I

Tel. +372 613 3712