Svenska Handelsbanken AB has today, 20 March 2024, held its annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM).

Board and auditors

The AGM re-elected Jon Fredrik Baksaas, Hélène Barnekow, Stina Bergfors, Hans Biörck, Pär Boman, Kerstin Hessius, Fredrik Lundberg and Ulf Riese as members of the Board. Louise Lindh was elected as new Board member. Pär Boman was re-elected as Chairman of the Board.

In accordance with the nomination committee's proposal, the meeting re-elected as auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers AB and Deloitte AB, with Magnus Svensson Henryson (authorised public accountant) as auditor in charge for PricewaterhouseCoopers AB, and Malin Lüning (authorised public accountant) as auditor in charge for Deloitte AB.

Fees

Board fees were adopted in accordance with the nomination committee's proposal. The Board fees were allocated as follows: SEK 3,900,000 to the Chairman, SEK 1,110,000 to the Deputy Chairman, and SEK 795,000 to each of the remaining members.

For committee work, the following fees per member will be paid: remuneration committee SEK 140,000 to members and SEK 140,000 to the chair; credit committee SEK 475,000 to members and SEK 540,000 to the chair; UK committee SEK 450,000 to members and SEK 510,000 to the chair; risk committee SEK 475,000 to members and SEK 600,000 to the chair; and audit committee SEK 475,000 to members and SEK 600,000 to the chair. Board members who are employees of Handelsbanken do not receive a fee.

Fees to the auditors were adopted in accordance with the nomination committee's proposal that the fees would be on approved account.

Income statement and balance sheet, and remuneration report

The AGM adopted the income statement, balance sheet, consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet for 2023 and approved the Board's report regarding remuneration to executive officers for 2023.

Dividend

The AGM also adopted the Board's proposal of a dividend of SEK 13.00 per share, of which SEK 6.50 relate to ordinary dividend, and its proposal that the remaining profits be carried forward to next year. It was resolved that the record date would be Friday 22 March 2024.

Discharge from liability

The AGM discharged the members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer from liability.

Acquisition and divestment of the Bank's own shares

The AGM voted in favour of the Board's proposal to authorise the Board to resolve on the acquisition and divestment of class A and/or B shares in Handelsbanken until the annual general meeting in 2025. The maximum acquisition that may be made is 120 million shares. The number of shares may be adjusted due to certain corporate actions.

The AGM also voted in favour of the Board's proposal that, during the period until the next annual general meeting, the Bank, for its securities operations, shall have the right to acquire its own class A and/or B shares for the Bank's trading book. The holding of such shares shall not at any time exceed two per cent of all shares in Handelsbanken.

Authorisation for the Board to resolve on issuance of convertible tier 1 capital instruments

The AGM resolved to authorise the Board to issue convertibles during the period until the annual general meeting in 2025, in accordance with the Board's proposal. The number of shares that may be issued upon conversion may not exceed 198,002,849 shares. The number of shares may be adjusted due to certain corporate actions.

Amendments to the Articles of Association

In accordance with the Board's proposal, the AGM resolved to remove the limitation on voting rights set forth in Section 12 of the Articles of Association, meaning that the Swedish Companies Act's main rule of voting rights for all shares owned or represented will instead apply.

Guidelines for remuneration to executive officers

The AGM approved the Board's proposal on guidelines for remuneration to executive officers.

Other resolutions

In addition, the AGM resolved in accordance with the Board's proposal concerning the appointment of KPMG AB as auditor in all foundations with associated management.

The AGM rejected the shareholder proposal presented. 

Minutes of meeting

Minutes of the AGM will be available on the Bank's website www.handelsbanken.com/agm within two weeks from today's date.

For further information, please contact:
Pär Boman, Chairman of the Board, +46 8 22 92 20 
Tobias Larsson, Secretary of the Board, +46 8 22 92 20 
Mats Olsson, Press Officer, +46 70 688 07 99

For more information about Handelsbanken, please see: www.handelsbanken.com