SpareBank 1 SR-Bank and SpareBank 1 Sørøst-Norge are working towards a merger on
October 1, and the group management for the SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge is now ready.

The merger is dependent on necessary regulatory approvals.

The organization of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge is designed to help the group to
achieve its strategic ambitions. The group management has a clear business
focus, which is intended to be sustainable over time and help the company
strengthen its position in the market. Additionally, the subsidiaries in
SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge will have a central role in the new structure, to ensure
comprehensive thinking and responsibility within the group.

"SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge aims to become the leading relationship bank for people
and businesses in the region. Therefore, we are sharpening our focus in four
customer divisions, 'Retail Market', 'Corporate Market and Agriculture', 'Large
Corporates', and 'Private Banking'. A strong organization will position us to
create market-leading growth, comprehensive customer experiences, a good
customer offer, and an efficient and trustworthy customer dialogue," says
Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer, CEO of SpareBank 1 SR-Bank.

The group management will assume their new roles from October 1.

"Leading up to the merger, the current group management in SR-Bank and
Sørøst-Norge will continue as before, while the new group management will begin
organizing their divisions and leadership teams," says Per Halvorsen, CEO of
SpareBank 1 Sørøst-Norge.

Group Management in SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge:

Group CEO - Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer*
Deputy Group CEO and People and Integration - Per Halvorsen
Chief Financial Officer - Inge Reinertsen
Executive Vice President Retail Market - Roger Lund Antonesen
Executive Vice President Private Banking - Lasse Olsen
Executive Vice President Corporate Market and Agriculture - Marianne Bakke
Executive Vice President Large Corporates - Tore Medhus
Executive Vice President Customer Offer, Market and Innovation - Ella Skjørestad
Executive Vice President Customer Deliveries - Tonje Stormoen
Executive Vice President Business Processes and Technology - Glenn Sæther
Executive Vice President Strategy and Group Services - Jan Friestad
Executive Vice President Risk Management - Frode Bø
Executive Vice President Compliance - Signe Helliesen

*Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer has resigned from her position as CEO of SpareBank 1
SR-Bank ASA to become CEO of Telenor ASA starting December 1. The board of
SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA has begun the process of finding her replacement, and
she will continue in her position as CEO in the meantime.

For more information, contact:

Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer, CEO of SpareBank 1 SR-Bank, tel. 950 60 034
Øyvind Knoph Askeland, Director of Communications, SpareBank 1 SR-Bank, tel. 922
32 639

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© Oslo Bors ASA, source Oslo Stock Exchange