Evli focuses on growing its asset management business and commences a strategic evaluation regarding the future of banking services

EVLI BANK PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE JANUARY 22, 2021, AT 11.05 AM (EET/EEST)

On January 22, 2021, Evli Bank's Board of Directors decided to commence a strategic evaluation on the banking services future. The financial significance of banking services for Evli is limited, its share of Evli Group's net sales in 2020 was less than five percent. Evli's strategic goal is to strengthen its position as a leading Nordic wealth manager. The focus of the strategy is on developing and growing international sales and alternative asset classes, as well as strengthening domestic market leadership in both private and institutional wealth management and among corporate clients. Investments into customer experience and leadership in taking responsibility factors into account in investment activities are at the core of Evli’s strategy.

In the evaluation, Evli assesses among other things the business and financial effects of a possible exit from the banking services. The evaluation has no effect on Evli's product and service offering or customer service.

“The study is part of the implementation of Evli's strategy and a continuum of the long-term development of Evli's business. Evli has a growth strategy in which profitability is strongly linked to business development through the growth of assets under management. It is estimated that a possible exit from banking service would free up both financial and human resources for the development of existing and new products and services in order to strengthen Evli's market position”, says Maunu Lehtimäki, CEO of Evli Bank Plc.

If Evli decided, as a result of the evaluation process, that it will exit from banking services, Evli would apply for an investment service authorization and continue its operations as an investment firm. It is currently estimated that the change would take place at the earliest during the third quarter of 2021.The waiver of the credit institution license would require, among other things, the approval of Evli's Annual General Meeting and the supervisory authority. Evli estimates that the evaluation process will be finalized during the first half of 2021.

Evli currently offers banking services that support clients’ investment activities and wants to ensure their availability in the future as well. As part of the evaluation process, Evli is identifying a suitable partner through which Evli would be able to offer its clients at least as comprehensive banking services as Evli currently offers.

EVLI BANK PLC

Additional information:

Maunu Lehtimäki, CEO, Evli Bank Plc, tel. (0)50 553 3000,

Evli Bank Plc

Evli is a bank specialized in investments that helps institutions, corporations and private persons increase their wealth. The product and service offering includes mutual funds, asset management and capital markets services, alternative investment products, equity research, incentive plan design and administration as well as Corporate Finance services. The company also offers banking services that support clients' investment operations. Evli is the highest ranked and most used institutional asset manager in Finland*.

Evli has a total of EUR 14.1 billion in client assets under management (net 12/2020). Evli Group's equity capital totals EUR 95.4 million and its BIS capital adequacy ratio is 15.2 percent (December 31, 2020). The company has around 250 employees. Evli Bank Plc's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

*KANTAR SIFO Prospera External Asset Management Finland 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and SFR Scandinavian Financial Research Institutional Investment Services, Finland 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd, main media,