OREANDA-NEWS. December 08, 2014. The respectable magazine The Banker of the Financial Times group has named SEB as the best bank in Latvia in year 2014.

Other SEB group banks in Baltics have received this award as well - SEB Pank has been named the best bank in Estonia in 2014 and SEB bankas - the best bank in Lithuania. Moreover, The Banker has recognised the accomplishments of SEB bank in Sweden with the Best Bank in Sweden 2014 award.

Ainars Ozols, CEO of SEB Latvia: "Such recognition from the leading publication in financial industry confirms that SEB's strategy in the Baltic market is welcomed by both finance professionals and clients. Business environment for banks is becoming increasingly complex and demanding. We are able to mitigate this by focusing on building stable and sustainable relationships with our clients by understanding their needs and delivering professional and high-quality services."

Annika Falkengren, CEO of SEB Group: "We have continued to strengthen our large corporate platform in Sweden, the Nordics and Germany. We have had the largest increase in customer satisfaction among banks in the recent EPSI survey. Our customers appreciate our holistic and long-term approach in meeting their needs. Our commitment to be the leading Nordic bank for corporations and institutions, and the best universal bank in Sweden and the Baltics remains firm."

The Banker has noted an improvement across profits, costs and the non-performing loan ratio in SEB Latvia. By facing the challenges of euro introduction and Russian sanctions against European companies along with its clients the bank has managed to strengthen its relationships with partners and boost returns for the customers and shareholders. This is the fifth Best Bank in Latvia award for SEB Latvia. Previous awards were received in 2000, 2003 2011 and 2012.