Hansapank                     NEWS RELEASE                      06/29/2004



ANDERS SAHLÉN STEPS DOWN FROM HANSABANK COUNCIL CHAIRMANSHIP



Anders Sahlén announced today of his withdrawal from  the

office  of the Chairman of the Council of Hansabank.  The

Council  elected  Anders Ek as the new  Chairman  of  the

Council.



Sahlén  announced  his  decision  to  step  down  due  to

personal  reasons  in  the regular Council  meeting  held

today. Anders Sahlén had chaired the Council since  April

1999.



Anders Ek has worked in Swedbank since year 2000. From

May 2004 he is Executive Vice President and Head of

International Banking of Swedbank.





Additional information:

Anders Ek

+ 46 8 585 92 666



Evelin Greenbaum

+372 613 1372





Mart Tõevere

Head of Investor Relations

+372 613 1569