The ratings on Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB) reflect its position as the third-largest financial services group in the Nordic region, with total assets of Swedish krona (SKr) 1,023 billion ($102 billion) at Dec. 31, 2000. It is also the leading asset manager in the Nordic region with SKr910 billion in assets under management at year-end 2000. The ratings also reflect the announcement that SEB and Swedbank plan to merge. The group has a strong market position in Sweden, which ensures stable earnings potential and will improve the new group's ability to carry the costs and risks associated with continued international expansion. The new group will be named SEB Swedbank and will operate a multi-brand strategy retaining the brand name,
