22 February 2024
Correction of previous press
release with incorrect reference MAR
The
press release that was published on 22 February 2024 at 12:00
CET included an incorrect reference to the EU Market Abuse
Regulation. The information in the press release did not constitute
inside information. The correct reference, as below, should be
to the Swedish Securities Markets Act (2007:528). The remaining
content of the press release is unchanged.
Swedbank's Annual and
Sustainability Report 2023
During 2023, important steps were taken in the "Swedbank
15/25" business plan with the goal of delivering a sustainable
return on equity of at least 15 percent 2025. The organisation has
been adapted to grow in prioritised customer segments, and the
business has been streamlined and focused on core operations with
new strategic partnerships. At the same time, the bank's position
in sustainability is being moved forward.
2023 was a year of focus on security
issues, sustainability, and inflation reduction. Households and
businesses were affected by the central banks' fight against
inflation, which began to show results at the end of the
year.
"Swedbank is there for customers in
both better and worse times. We shall have the best overall offer
on the market and contribute to sustainability. At the same time,
we create value for owners and society through the dividends
generated. A sustainable bank is a profitable bank," says president
and CEO Jens Henriksson.
In 2023, Swedbank became the first
Nordic bank to issue a social bond of EUR 500 million. The bond is
a tool for promoting lending to businesses that contribute to a
positive social development.
Swedbank has continued to strengthen
its offering of financial services to customers with energy advice
and green loans. In Estonia and Latvia, the bank's offering of a
selection of green loans, with a 0% interest margin during the
first two years, has been very popular.
"Sustainability is at the core of
our business strategy. We maintain our momentum in working for a
long-term socially and environmentally sustainable society by
strengthening and developing our customer offering," says Johanna
Fager Wettergren, Head of Sustainability at Swedbank.
Cyber threats continue to be a
reality where many actors in Swedish society are at risk. The
problem of fraud affecting bank customers has also grown during the
year, leading to increased measures from the bank.
"The fight against financial crime
is ultimately about a sustainable society. Swedbank is acting
vigorously against external threats, including by combating money
laundering, terrorist financing and fraud. Cooperation between the
public and private sectors has also been further strengthened in
2023," says Jens Henriksson.
For 2023 the following reports are
now available for download on
swedbank.com:
·
Swedbank Annual and Sustainability Report 2023
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1837E_1-2024-2-22.pdf,
as well as in European Single Electronic Format (ESEF)
·
Risk and Capital Adequacy Report
2023 http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1837E_2-2024-2-22.pdf
·
Factbook ESG/Sustainability (xlsx)
Contact:
Annie
Ho, Head of Investor Relations,
+46 70 343 78 15
Hannes
Mård, Media Relations Manager,
+46 73-057 41 95
This disclosure contains information
that Swedbank is obliged to make public pursuant to the Swedish
Securities Markets Act (2007:528). The information was submitted
for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on
February 22, 2024, at 19.15 CET.
Swedbank empowers the many people and businesses to create a
better future. Our vision is a financially sound and sustainable
society. Swedbank Group is the leading bank with over 7 million
retail customers and 550 000 corporate customers in our four home
markets Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Swedbank Group is
also present in other Nordic countries, the U.S. and China.
Together we make your financial life easier. Find out
more: www.swedbank.com.
