SEB

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB has been named Best Overall Bank for Cash Management 2009 in the Nordic Region, as well as Best bank for Liquidity Management, and Best bank for Risk Management 2009 in the Nordic Region in Global Finance's survey on the World's Best Treasury and Cash management Providers 2009 to be published in March.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB in China has received the preliminary licence to pursue banking operations in the Chinese currency the Renminbi (RMB) from the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB is ranked best provider of trade finance services in the Nordic region overall, as well as in Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia according to a recent survey done by Global Finance publication.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB Enskilda Equities is appointed No 1 stock broker in the Nordic region by Prospera. SEB Enskilda's market position has strengthened during 2008 and the overall Nordic market position for SEB Enskilda is stronger than in many years.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB Enskilda is ranked single number one stock broker for private and institutional clients on the Finnish market in Prospera's prestigious annual survey for 2008.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB welcomes the initiatives discussed by the Latvian Government and the National Bank of Latvia together with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to support the Latvian financial system and to ensure confidence in the Latvian economy.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB has won the title The Best Trade Finance Bank in The Nordic Region in the annual Trade Finance customer poll from the Global Trade Review (GTR) publication.

SEB (STO:SEBA) SEB Enskilda Equities has regained the position as sole No 1 in the annual Prospera survey as most appreciated and largest stock broker in Sweden ahead of Handelsbanken as No 2, Carnegie as No 3, ABG Sundal Collier as No 4 and Öhman as No 5. Last year, the No 1 position was shared by Carnegie, Handelsbanken and SEB Enskilda Equities.

SEB (STO:SEBA) Swedish financial officers have become much more pessimistic since our last survey in September. Respondents are obviously concerned by evidence showing increasing business cycle weakness, citing lower demand as their main cause for concern. A significant number of officers also foresee lower profits next year compared to 2008. Any potential profitability improvements are expected to be driven by cost cutting and greater efficiency rather than volume increases and higher prices.

SEB (STO:SEBA) The most acute phase of the financial crisis is probably past, but the situation remains strained. The crisis is now having very potent contagious effects on the real economy. The world economic downturn is becoming more and more synchronised. Gross Domestic Product in the OECD countries will fall by more than 1 per cent in 2009 - the weakest performance since the Second World War. Meanwhile powerful, synchronised global stimulus policies are taking shape. Interest rates are being cut significantly as the threat scenarios of central banks are increasingly dominated by recession, financial crisis and deflation worries. In addition, fiscal policy is being used on a broad front to soften the downturn. Stimulus packages will contribute to a slight recovery in 2010, a year that will still be dominated by the economic slump.