OREANDA-NEWS. September 20, 2011. Given the intensified financial anxiety in Europe, the bank’s management has suggested to the Board that further repurchases are being halted for the time being, reported the press-centre of Swedbank.

”During the past weeks, the situation in Europe has worsened significantly. We see today no altered risk in our portfolio, but the perception of our buyback program is not supporting Swedbank’s brand in the current market situation. On my recommendation the Board have decided to halt further repurchases until the market situation becomes clearer”, concludes Michael Wolf, CEO and president of Swedbank.

Swedbank’s Board of Directors received a mandate from shareholders at the AGM 2011 to repurchase a maximum of 10 per cent of outstanding shares up until the AGM 2012. The background to the decision was that Swedbank, given the risk level in the bank’s balance sheet as shown in various stress tests, had decided upon a target for the Core Tier 1 capital ratio of 13 per cent. 

Swedbank has since 29 April 2011 repurchased shares continuously, taking into account Swedbank’s capital situation, existing regulation and market situation. Swedbank’s Core Tier 1 capital ratio was at the end of the second quarter 14.8 per cent, a level making the bank one of the best capitalised banks in Sweden as well as in Europe.