Hansapank                     NEWS RELEASE                05/02/2003 13:00



RATING UPGRADE



Fitch Ratings (‘Fitch’) has today upgraded Hansabank’s individual

rating by one notch to B/C.

The rating action reflects Hansabank’s strong track record of

profitability, healthy asset quality, conservative risk management and

its rapid and effective integration of the Lithuanian Savings Bank

into Hansabank Group.



The Long- and Short-term foreign currency ratings of the bank remained

at A- and F2, respectively.





Mart Tõevere

Head of investor relations

+372 6131 569