Sampo Pank                        NEWS RELEASE                        25.10.2004



A term loan for AS Sampo Pank arranged by Sampo Bank, Finland and

NORD/LB, Germany signed



Mandated Lead Arrangers Sampo Bank plc and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

(NORD/LB) have successfully completed the syndication of a five-year EUR 110

million loan facility for Estonian AS Sampo Pank. The deal was oversubscribed by

80 EUR m, topping the original loan amount of 75 EUR m.



The facility agreement was signed on 20 October 2004. Joining the Mandated Lead

Arrangers in the facility were NORD/LB Luxembourg S.A, Danske Bank, Helaba

Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen, and LRP Landesbank Rheinland-Pfalz as Arrangers,

Baden-Württembergische Bank AG and Erste Bank as Co-Arrangers, and Landesbank

Saar and Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara S.c.r.l., London Branch, as

Participants.



The loan, which is repayable in one instalment five years from the signing of the

facility agreement represents a senior unsecured debt of AS Sampo Pank and is to

be used for general corporate purposes. The syndication was targeted at

international banks already active or interested to expand their activities in

the Baltic region, including the borrower's relationship banks. The loan has a

margin of 25 bps p.a. over respective EURIBOR.



AS Sampo Pank is one of the leading financial groups in Estonia, offering long-

term savings and investment products as well as financing and general banking

products to corporate and private clients. At the end of June 2004, the total

assets the consolidated group amounted to EEK 8.2 billion (approx E0.5 billion),

and the capital adequacy stood at 12.03%. AS Sampo Pank is rated A3 / P-2 by

Moody's Investors Service (Bank Deposits; ratings placed under review for

possible upgrade in July 2003). AS Sampo Pank is a fully owned subsidiary of

Finnish Sampo Bank plc.



Both Mandated Lead Arrangers are active in the Baltic region with a physical

presence in the Baltic countries, including subsidiary banks.





Additional information:



Anneli Rõuk

Communication Manager

AS Sampo Pank

Tel +372 630 2103