AS HANSAPANK          STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE               08.03.05



Hansa Capital to buy EBRD's holding in Hansa Leasing Russia



Hansabank's subsidiary Hansa Capital will acquire from EBRD its 25% holding in

the specialist leasing company AS Hansa Leasing Russia.



Hansa Capital and EBRD signed a purchase agreement on 8 March. As a result,

Hansa Capital will become the sole shareholder of Hansa Leasing Russia. The price

of the transaction is confidential.



Hansa Leasing Russia was established in 2002 as a greenfield joint venture

between Hansabank and EBRD to provide financing to Russian businesses for leasing

rail cars. The company was capitalised at EUR 24 million, with Hansabank

investing EUR 18 million and EBRD contributing EUR 6 million. The company has

successfully developed into a leading rail car lessor in Russia. As at 31

December 2004, the company's leasing portfolio totalled EUR 136 million.



EBRD's exit from Hansa Leasing Russia is related to Hansabank's increased

involvement in Russia. According to the new strategy approved in 2004, the Group

will operate in the Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad regions and focus on

serving its Baltic, Scandinavian and Russian corporate clients. As a result,

Hansabank is purchasing a commercial bank in Russia, Kvest bank. In addition, in

2004 Hansabank established a local leasing company in Russia - OOO Hansa Leasing

- which as well as rail cars is also financing real-estate, industrial equipment

and vehicles.



Hansabank and EBRD intend to continue their long-standing relationship by working

together on mutually beneficial projects.





Mart Tõevere

Head of Corporate Communications and IR

Tel. +372 6131 569