SEB’s Annual Accounts and results for the fourth quarter 2023

25 January 2024 07:14

SEB’s operating profit for the fourth quarter 2023 amounted to SEK 11.3bn, with a return on equity of 15.2 per cent, a CET1 capital ratio of 19.1 per cent, and a capital management buffer of 440 basis points. Asset quality remained robust.

SEB 2023 Q4 Results

SEB’s President and CEO Johan Torgeby and CFO Masih Yazdi comment on the 2023 Q4 result.

“We report a solid result with a return on equity that is in line with our long-term aspiration. After a year of exceptional macroeconomic circumstances, we are now starting to see a normalisation of our operating environment. Interest rates started to plateau towards the end of the year and the positive effect on our results experienced earlier in 2023 continued to abate. We continue to execute our business plan and develop the business in accordance with our 2030 Strategy, which is possible due to our financial strength,” says SEB’s President and CEO Johan Torgeby.

SEB’s Board of Directors proposes an ordinary dividend of SEK 8.50 per share and a special dividend of SEK 3.00 per share. The Board has also resolved to utilise the authorisation granted by the 2023 Annual General Meeting to initiate a share buyback programme of SEK 1.75bn, which will end on 18 March 2024 at the latest.

“SEB's dividend is an important contribution to society, not least in tough economic times. Through our owners, who mostly consist of pension funds and fund companies, it benefits millions of pensioners and households. Among our shareholders there are also more than 250,000 private individuals who have chosen to invest part of their savings in SEB shares. Through our largest shareholder, Investor AB, part of our dividend also goes to research and education via the Wallenberg Foundations. In addition, we are a large employer and taxpayer and pay interest to customers and bondholders. In this way, we create long-term value for all our stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate,” says Johan Torgeby.

Income statement

	Q4	Q3		Q4		Jan-Dec
SEK m	2023	2023	%	2022	%	2023	2022	%
Total operating income	20,136	20,979	-4	18,798	7	80,193	64,478	24
Total operating expenses	-7,130	-6,905	3	-6,757	6	-27,449	-25,044	10
Net expected credit losses	-664	17		-506	31	-962	-2,007	-52
Imposed levies	-1,075	-1,108	-3	-578	86	-3,819	-2,288	67
Operating profit before items affecting comparability	11,267	12,983	*-13*	10,957	3	47,963	35,138	37
Items affecting comparability				-1,399	-100		-1,399	-100
Operating profit	11,267	12,983	*-13*	9,558	18	47,963	33,739	42

NET PROFIT	8,373	10,581	*-21*	7,402	13	38,116	26,877	42

Return on equity, %	15.2	19.8		14.7		17.9	13.8
Return on equity excluding items affecting comparability, %	15.2	19.8		17.4		17.9	14.5
Basic earnings per share, SEK	4.03	5.07		3.49		18.20	12.58

Comparative figures for 2022 have been restated for the transition to IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts. See section on restated comparative figures for further information.

This disclosure contains information that SEB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 25-01-2024 07:00 CET.