HANSABANK           STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE        09.03.05



Increase of Latvian Hansabanka's share capital



Hansabank's Council approved the increase of the share capital of Hansabank's

Latvian subsidiary Hansabanka by LVL 34 million (EUR 49 million) through a closed

share issue to current shareholders. The capital increase is required to meet the

bank's capital needs due to rapid risk asset growth. Following the said capital

increase Hansabanka's share capital will amount to LVL 116 million (EUR 167

million).



Mart Tõevere

Head of Corporate Communications and IR

Tel. +372 613 1569