Hansapank                     NEWS RELEASE                      02/13/2004



ABOUT HANSABANK'S RUSSIAN STRATEGY



Hansabank has not changed its Russian strategy. Hence, the statements

made in media today on this topic are misleading. The bank is not

currently engaged in negotiations to buy a bank, nor is Hansabank in

the process of establishing a bank in Russia. The management also

stressed this position during the press conference held yesterday. The

Group’s Russian activities in leasing and trade finance have been

successful and they will be continued also during 2004. The Group will

inform the public promptly in case its strategy on the Russian market

should change.





Mart Tõevere

Head of Communications and IR

+372 6131 569