Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken was founded in 1871 and is currently one of the world’s most secure banks. The bank offers a wide variety of financial services. It has a decentralized work method with a strong local presence and a major focus on customer requirements. 

Handelsbanken’s model, with a local market presence, long-term customer relationships and strong local decision-making power, is particularly suitable for customers with stable cash flows seeking a long-term relationship with their bank. The bank’s offering is particularly targeted at private customers, real estate companies and other owner-operated companies. 

The bank’s credit policy applies throughout the group and is always based on the customer’s repayment capacity. For a long time, the bank has been operating with a low loan-loss ratio, high customer satisfaction and strong profitability. The bank’s credit rating with the leading rating agencies is one of the best in the world and according to Global Finance, Handelsbanken is the safest commercial bank in Europe.  

Handelsbanken is the largest overall lender to households and companies in the Swedish market.  

Sustainability

Sustainability is a prerequisite for longterm value creation and is deeply rooted in Handelsbanken’s corporate culture and work methods. The bank’s lending operations are subject to clear guidelines concerning, inter alia, human rights, labor conditions and environmental and climate considerations. 

In performing the assignment of managing the customers’ savings, Handelsbanken’s ambition of creating a favorable return is combined with initiatives for a sustainable future. In 2023, MSCI ESG Ratings confirmed that Handelsbanken had retained the highest possible sustainability rating. Also in 2023, Handelsbanken launched a group-wide comprehensive transition plan for the bank’s climate work with a major focus on real estate and mortgages. 

Financial objectives

Handelsbanken’s objective is to achieve higher profitability than the average for comparable competitors in its home markets. The aim is to be achieved primarily by having more satisfied customers and lower costs than competing banks.