SEB announced on Tuesday evening that "no dividend is currently being made". The bank's board refers to the corona crisis, the uncertain outlook and the pandemic's impact on the economy.

Thus, all four major banks have waived dividends this spring. A total of 52 billion in dividends from the banks has been canceled.

Ingves: "Should think another turn"

SEB waited for the longest time to give notice on the issue and last week criticized Governor Stefan Ingves SEB's management. Already when the Riksbank presented its crisis support of SEK 500 billion in free credits to the banks in March, he talked about the inadequacy of the fact that banks that received support would at the same time give dividends. Last week he pointed out just SEB as the only bank so he had not yet given notice:

- I think they should think of a turn to and not distribute to the shareholders, Stefan Ingves told SVT then.

During Thursday evening, just like other banks in the past, SEB's Board of Directors will announce that the Board will convene an extraordinary general meeting later this year and possibly present a proposal for a dividend. It depends on how the situation develops.

Swedbank retains its profits

At Swedbank's Annual General Meeting on Thursday, a formal decision was made not to decide on the issue of dividends, but to retain the entire profits of the company instead. The Chairman of the Board, Göran Persson, argued vigorously for the shareholders' right to a dividend, but that "due to precautionary reasons", a dividend is waived due to the extreme situation with Corona. He also strongly expressed the hope of a dividend payment later this year at a press conference after the meeting.

- We really want to pay dividends, it's not just legitimate, it's necessary in a market economy. Depending on what happens, we will be open to have a general meeting later this fall, and then decide on a dividend, Göran Persson said at a press conference after the meeting.