Handelsbanken buys Dutch wealth management company

Handelsbanken acquires the Dutch wealth management company Optimix
Vermogensbeheer N.V.

“Handelsbanken is steadily growing in the Netherlands, particularly among
customers with high requirements for advanced wealth management. This purchase
makes it possible for us to broaden our offering to these customers. It is also
a vital step in our evolution towards becoming a full-service bank in the
Netherlands,” says Mikael Sorensen, Head of Handelsbanken in the Netherlands.

Optimix manages assets of around EUR 2 billion, including in-house mutual funds.
The company has operations in Amsterdam, Groningen and Vught and offers
discretionary wealth management. The acquisition of Optimix gives Handelsbanken
an important platform for additional growth in the savings area.

Optimix also fits in Handelsbanken's corporate culture.
“Just like us, Optimix gives higher priority to satisfied customers and long
-term customer relationships,” says Mikael Sorensen.

The Netherlands is one of Handelsbanken's growth areas and the bank has
currently 23 branches throughout the country.

The purchase of Optimix, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Handelsbanken, requires the approval of the relevant Dutch financial
authorities. The acquisition will initially have a marginal impact on
Handelsbanken’s financial position.


For further information, please contact:

Mikael Sorensen, Head of Handelsbanken the Netherlands  + 46 (0) 8  – 22 92 20
Etienne te Brake, Head of Communications, Handelsbanken the Netherlands
+31 – 204 127 697, +31 – 683 660 577
Mikael Hallåker, Head of Investor Relations at Handelsbanken, +46 (0) 8 – 701 56
63,
 +46 (0) 70 – 266 29 95


Link to local press release from Handelsbanken the Netherlands.
 (http://www.handelsbanken.nl/shb/inet/icenten.nsf/default/q39BC7AC8443FC9A5C125
7 
F9A00334DCE)

This information is of the type which Handelsbanken is obliged to make public
according to the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted
for publication on 20 April 2016 at 7.15 a.m. CET. For more information about
Handelsbanken, see: www.handelsbanken.com (http://www.handelsbanken.se/)