About Svenska Handelsbanken: Handelsbanken is a universal bank, in other words the Bank provides services in the whole banking area. With 461 branches (31 December 2008), Handelsbanken is strong in the Swedish market. Over the past 15 years, universal banking operations have been developed in the other Nordic countries, and since 2000 also in Great Britain. As at 31 December 2008 Handelsbanken had 54 branches in Denmark, 45 in Finland, 48 in Norway and 56 in Great Britain. In addition there are 38 branches in 17 other countries. Operating profit were SEK 15.3bn for the full year 2008. Total assets were SEK 2 159bn, of which lending to general public were SEK 1 481bn. (source: SvenskaHandelsbanken.lu)