Franchisees in Svensk Fastighetsförmedling AB acquire the company

Swedbank Franchise AB has today agreed with DNB Bank to unwind the acquisition
by Swedbank Franchise of Svensk Fastighetsförmedling AB. Most of the franchisees
in Svensk Fastighetsförmedling will at the same time acquire Svensk
Fastighetsförmedling and sign a cooperation agreement with Swedbank AB.
In December 2013, Swedbank Franchise acquired all shares in Svensk
Fastighetsförmedling from DNB Bank. The acquisition was prohibited by the
Stockholm District Court on 17 December, 2014. Swedbank Franchise appealed to
the Market Court which now, at the request of Swedbank Franchise and Svensk
Fastighetsförmedling, has dismissed the case since the acquisition is unwond.
Most of the franchisees in Svensk Fastighetsförmedling have through Mellersta
Förmedlingsbolaget AB acquired all the shares in Svensk Fastighetsförmedling
from DNB Bank. Swedbank Franchise has assumed all of DNB Bank’s rights and
obligations under the sale and purchase agreement with Mellersta
Förmedlingsbolaget AB.
Swedbank and Svensk Fastighetsförmedling have signed a cooperation agreement.
”We are pleased with this solution which is good for real estate brokerage
market and which also gives a positive result, albeit by a smaller amount. The
franchisees of Svensk Fastighetsförmedling will now become a strong cooperation
partner to us. This will further broaden our network of real estate brokers
which will benefit our customers”, says Cecilia Hernqvist, Head of Group
Communications at Swedbank.

“We have for some time wanted to repurchase Svensk Fastighetsförmedling and
through this transaction, we have reached this goal. Through good cooperation
with Swedbank, the entrepreneurship of the franchisees and the experience of the
employees, being close to the customers, we will create the best for the sellers
and buyers”, says Håkan Hellström, CEO of Mellersta Förmedlingsbolaget AB and
Chair of Svensk Fastighetsförmedling Franchisetagareförening.
Swedbank’s subsidiary, Fastighetsbyrån AB has purchased 9 per cent of the shares
in Hemnet Sverige AB and will subsequently own 34 per cent of the shares in
Hemnet. The Swedish Competition Authority has no objections to the acquisition
of the Hemnet shares. In addition, Fastighetsbyrån has entered into an option
agreement with the right to acquire further 8 per cent of the shares in Hemnet.
A possible exercise of the option right will only be made for resale purposes.

For further information, please contact:
Cecilia Hernqvist, Head of Group Communications, Swedbank AB, phone: +46
8 585 907 41
Håkan Hellström, CEO of Mellersta Förmedlingsbolaget AB and Chair of Svensk
Fastighetsförmedling Franchisetagarförening, phone: + 46 705 494 963

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