Basic information about the
bankSwedbank AB is a commercial bank operating in a joint-stock format and is publicly listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: SWED A). It is not a state-owned or joint-venture bank, but is held by diversified shareholders and operates in a market-oriented manner. The bank is customer-oriented, and its services cover individuals, enterprises and institutions, combining the stability of traditional banks with modern financial innovation.
Name & BackgroundFull
Name: Swedbank AB (publ)
Founded: 1820 (from Sweden's first savings bank)
Headquarters: Landsvägen 40, 172 63 Sundbyberg, Sweden (mailing address: 105 34 Stockholm, Sweden).
Shareholder Background: Swedbank is a public company whose shareholders include savings bank foundations, institutional investors (such as pension funds), retail investors, etc., and there is no single state-owned or private controlling party. Listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1995, Förenings Sparbanken was formed in 1997 through a merger with Föreningsbanken, and in 2006 it was renamed Swedbank AB.
Backstory: Swedbank is rooted in the Swedish savings banking movement, founding the first savings bank in Gothenburg in 1820 to encourage ordinary people to save. After several mergers and expansions, notably the acquisition of Hansabank in the Baltic region in 2005, it has become an important financial player in the Nordic-Baltic region.
Coverage area
: Swedbank's core markets are Sweden and the three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and it has international branches in Norway, Finland, Denmark, the United States (New York), China (Shanghai) and South Africa (Johannesburg).
Number of offline outlets: As of 2023, Swedbank has 142 branches in Sweden and 71 in the Baltic States, totaling about 226 outlets. In addition, it has partnered with around 60 independent savings banks to share brand and IT systems and expand its local coverage in Sweden.
ATM distribution: Swedbank offers an extensive network of ATMs in Sweden and the Baltic States, the exact number of which is not disclosed, but ensures convenient cash deposits and withdrawals through cash service points in partner savings banks and retail stores such as supermarkets.
Regulatory & Compliance
Regulators: Swedbank is regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen, SFSA) and the corresponding regulators in the Baltic States (e.g. Estonian Financial Supervisory Authority). International branches follow local regulations, such as the United States being regulated by the Federal Reserve System.
Deposit insurance: Swedbank participates in the Swedish National Debt Office, which protects deposits of up to SEK 1 million (approximately EUR 95,000) per customer. The Baltic States branch is also a member of the EU deposit insurance system, with a guarantee amount of 100,000 euros.
Recent Compliance Record: Swedbank was in the spotlight for alleged money laundering scandals in the Baltic region between 2007 and 2015. In 2019, Swedish and Estonian regulators fined them SEK 4 billion (US$380 million), and former CEO Birgitte Bonnesen was sentenced to 15 months in prison for mishandling anti-money laundering. Banks have subsequently strengthened their anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) measures, and their compliance systems have improved significantly, but reputational risk needs to be continuously monitored.
Financial Health
Capital Adequacy Ratio: Swedbank's core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio was approximately 17.5% at the end of 2024, well above the regulatory requirement of 8%, demonstrating a strong capital buffer.
Non-performing loan ratio: The non-performing loan ratio is around 0.8%, which is low among Nordic banks, reflecting good asset quality.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) is about 150%, exceeding the regulatory requirement of 100%, indicating sufficient short-term liquidity and strong risk resistance.
Deposits &
LoansDeposit Class:
current account: The annual interest rate of the ordinary current account is close to 0% (e.g. 0.01%), there is no minimum balance requirement, suitable for daily transactions.
Time deposit: The interest rate of 1-year time deposit is about 2.5%-3.0%, and the interest rate of 3-year time deposit can reach 3.5% (depending on the amount and market interest rate).
High-yield savings account: "e-Sparkonto" online savings account is available, with an interest rate slightly higher than that of current accounts (e.g. 0.5%-1.0%), with no fixed term, and access at any time.
Large Certificate of Deposit (CD): Traditional CD is not explicitly provided, but there are fixed income investment products, so you need to consult a branch.
Loans:Mortgages: Fixed-rate mortgages (3-year) are around 3.5%-4.5%, variable rates are around 3.0%-4.0%, and down payment requirements are usually 15%-20%.
Car loan: The interest rate of the new car loan is about 3.5%-5.0%, the term is 1-7 years, and the credit assessment is required.
Personal Line of Credit: Unsecured loans have an interest rate of approximately 5.0%-8.0%, up to a maximum of SEK 600,000, based on income and credit score.
Flexible repayment options: Early repayment (penalty waiver for some loans) and adjustment of repayment schedules (e.g., longer or shorter terms).
List of common fees
Account management fee: Monthly/annual fees are waived for regular current accounts, but a management fee of around SEK 50-100/year may be charged for certain accounts (e.g. premium accounts).
Transfer fee:
Domestic transfers: Online banking or APP transfers are free, over-the-counter transfers may be charged SEK 10-20.
Cross-border transfers: SEPA transfers are about SEK 10-20, non-SEPA transfers (e.g. to the US) are about SEK 50-100.
Overdraft fee: The overdraft rate for current accounts is around 10%-15%/year, depending on the account type.
ATM inter-bank withdrawal fee: Swedbank ATM withdrawal is free, inter-bank or overseas ATM withdrawal is about 20-40 SEK per time.
Hidden Fee Warning: Some accounts require a minimum balance (e.g. SEK 5,000), otherwise a penalty of SEK 20-50/month may apply. It is advisable to review the account terms regularly.
Digital Service Experience
APP & Online Banking:
User Rating: Swedbank Mobile Banking App has a rating of about 4.5/5 on the App Store (based on thousands of reviews), Google The Play score is about 4.3/5, reflecting a good user experience.
Core functions: support face recognition login, real-time transfer (domestic second, 1-2 days in SEPA), bill management (automatic classification and payment reminder), investment tools (integrated Swedbank Robur fund transactions).
Technological innovation:AI customer service: Provide basic AI chatbots to deal with common problems (such as balance inquiries and transfer guidance), and transfer complex problems to manual work.
Robo-advisor: Swedbank Robur launches a digital investment advisor to recommend fund portfolios based on risk appetite.
Open Banking API: Swedbank provides an API interface to support third-party fintech integrations (e.g., budget management applications).
Customer Service Quality
Service Channel:
24/7 telephone support: round-the-clock customer center (phone, email, chat) at +46 771 12 12 00 in Sweden.
Online chat: The app has a built-in real-time chat with online banking, and the response time is usually 5-10 minutes.
Social media: Respond to customer inquiries through X, Facebook, etc., with an average response time of 1-2 hours.
Complaint handling: The complaint rate data is not disclosed, but the customer center promises to deal with complex complaints within 30 days, and solve simple problems (such as transfer errors) within 1-3 days. User satisfaction is high (about 80% of questions received positive feedback).
Multi-language support: Swedish, English, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian services are available, and some branches support Russian, which is suitable for cross-border customers.
Security measuresFunds
security:
Deposit insurance: Swedish deposit insurance covers SEK 1 million, and the Baltic countries cover EUR 100,000.
Anti-fraud technology: real-time transaction monitoring, automatic freezing of accounts for abnormal transactions, user verification is required.
Data Security:Certifications: Swedbank is ISO 27001 certified for information security, and data encryption complies with GDPR requirements.
Data breaches: There are no recent major data breaches recorded, but the 2019 money laundering scandal exposed internal control loopholes, and the bank has rectified them.
Featured Services & Differentiated
Market Segments:
Student account: No administration fee, comes with a free debit card, suitable for students aged 18-27.
Exclusive wealth management for the elderly: Provide low-risk pension funds and insurance products, and the interest rate is better than ordinary savings.
Green Finance: Swedbank Robur launched an ESG fund to invest in green energy and sustainable businesses to support climate goals.
High Net Worth Services:
Private Banking: Thresholds of around SEK 10 million, offering customized wealth management, tax planning and global portfolios.
Market position and honorsIndustry
ranking: Swedbank is the third largest bank in Sweden with assets of about SEK 2.8 trillion (2024) and ranks around 50-60 among global banks (Forbes Global 2000). In the Baltic States, retail banks have a leading market share (20%-55%).
Awards:
Swedbank Robur has been awarded the Lipper Fund Award several times in recognition of its sustainable investment performance.
> nominated for Euromoney's "Best Sustainable Bank in Northern Europe" 2024.
