Hansapank                     NEWS RELEASE                      05/17/2002



STATEMENT ON INDREK NEIVELT’S TAX DISPUTE



On March 26, 2002 the Harju county Tax Board issued a prescript to

private person Indrek Neivelt on the payment of additional income tax

for the year 1998. After consulting with his advisors, Indrek Neivelt

decided to appeal the prescript. Today, May 17 the State Tax Board

made its decision in the matter, stating that the prescript issued by

the Harju County Tax Board is legal and will remain in force. Based on

the decision, Indrek Neivelt will pay the additional income tax for

the year 1998 in the amount of EEK 1,428,033 and the late-fees in the

amount of EEK 997,686, all totalling to EEK 2,425,719.





Statement of Anders Sahlén, Chairman of the Council



As a Chairman of the Council of Hansabank Group I want to comment that

Indrek Neivelt has informed me of the Tax Department´s decision and

Indrek Neivelt´s decision to act according to it. I am satisfied with

what I have heard and the Council will have a full report on the

matter during its next regular meeting on May 30.





Mart Tõevere

Head of investor relations

+372 6131 569