Aktia Pankki Oyj - Company Announcement

Aktia Bank and the savings bank Saaristosäästöpankki have signed a letter of intent to merge

Aktia Bank plc
Stock Exchange Release
6.8.2013 at 7.50 a.m.



Aktia Bank plc and the savings bank Saaristosäästöpankki Oy have signed a
letter of intent to merge. In the transaction, Saaristosäästöpankki is valued
to net asset value at a maximum. The affect of the transaction on Aktia Bank's
result and key figures is considered to be neutral. 

In the letter of intent, Saaristosäästöpankki's owner foundations commit
aqcuisition of shares corresponding to approx. 1% of Aktia Bank's shares in the
period up until the next Annual General Meeting. Aktia Bank aims to put an
option to, if necessary, issue or sell own shares to the owner foundations of
Saaristosäästöpankki at a rate corresponding Aktia Bank's net asset value per
share (as at 30 June 2013), should the foundations not buy shares in public
trading to a lower valuation. 

Saaristosäästöpankki has about 5,500 customers, 10 employees, and a business
volume of approx. EUR 100 million and a Tier 1 ratio of about 30%. Following
the transaction, Saaristosäästöpankki would be incorporated in, and its
acivities be continued by Aktia Bank. The employees of Saaristosäästöpankki
would be transferred to Aktia Bank as so-called long-service employees. 

  -- Saaristosäästöpankki is a well-run bank with sound economy. Even though
     Aktia is a much bigger bank, the merger would significantly improve our
     strategic position in the Turunmaa region, says Jussi Laitinen, CEO of
     Aktia.
  -- The present market position as well as future branch-specific regulation
     are challenging for smaller, local banks. For us, a merger with Aktia Bank,
     which guarantees that capital generated locally remains in the area, is an
     attractive alternative, says Eugen Friman, Managing Director of
     Saaristosäästöpankki.

The parties will evaluate alternative ways to merge, and enter into a final
agreement without delay. The transaction is subject to approval by the Finnish
Financial Supervisory Authority. 

AKTIA BANK PLC

For more information, please contact:
Jussi Laitinen, CEO, Aktia Bank plc, tel. +358 10 247 6250
Eugen Friman, Managing Director, Saaristosäästöpankki Oy, tel. +358 400 532 635

From:
Malin Pettersson, Communications manager, Aktia Bank plc, tel. +358 10 247
6369, +358 40 589 7941 

Distribution:
Nasdaq OMX Helsinki,
mass media,
www.aktia.fi



Aktia Group provides a broad range of products within banking, insurance and
real estate agency. Aktia operates mainly in coastal areas and inland growth
areas. Aktia has about 300,000 customers who are served by nearly 1,000
employees at 60 branch offices and via Internet and telephone services. Aktia's
shares are listed on the list of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. For more information
about Aktia see www.aktia.fi 

Saaristosäästöpankki in short
Saaristosäästöpankki has operated in 106 years, and has good experience in
providing savings bank services in the archipelago. Saaristosäästöpankki Oy was
formed in 2003 in a merger between the savings banks in Nauvo and Korppoo. In
2007, the Houtskari savings bank was incorporated in Saaristosäästöpankki.
Saaristosäästöpankki has branch offices i Houtskari, Korppoo, Nauvo and
Parainen.