There were a few sweaty weeks at the beginning of the year. Our disclosures about Swedbank's suspected money laundering business were denied by the Swedish major bank, with CEO Birgitte Bonnesen at the forefront. The course fell handless and huge values ​​went up in smoke. Much was at stake, not only for Bonnesen and Swedbank. We were well prepared and confident in our conclusion, but when the stakes are gigantic, there may not be a single comma that is wrong. It would have devastating consequences - also for SVT.

The crucial question was: Had Swedbank participated in suspected money laundering - and lied about it?

Another tone

Now, a new leadership is behind today's press release. Jens Henriksson, who previously represented one of Swedbank's largest owners, is the CEO. Göran Persson, who hardly needs to be presented, is chairman of the board.

First was Jens Henriksson with the election of Göran Persson as chairman, and then Göran was with and elected Jens as CEO. Both are part of the social democratic high nobility, and the appointment has received some criticism.

But the tone of the delicate money laundering business is now quite different. Today's recognition is part of the effort to regain customer and investor confidence.

What does it mean then that the bank now poodles? Yes, to be honest and honest - not very much. That Bonnesen's aggressive line of defense did not hold was a fact when she was fired earlier this spring, and prosecutor Thomas Langrot chose to investigate Bonnesen for gross fraud - simplified: that she lied about the bank's involvement.

A new start?

What really matters to the credibility is whether the bank in the future openly reports what it has been involved in. Swedbank's promised transparency must include a detailed description of the scope: How many suspicious customers have been served, and how much black money has been drained through the bank in 2006 -2016? The period when (mainly) Russian villains washed money through the Baltic?

For quite exactly a year, Danske Bank did just that, put the cards on the table and started over. Swedbank's accident investigation should be ready by the beginning of 2020 - that's when it is decided whether Göran Person's promises of openness and regained confidence were empty words or an actual new start.