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Handelsbanken Sweden

RAROC profile and corporate credit pricing model derived from Pillar 3 disclosures.

Last updated: March 2026 · Data source: public Pillar 3 disclosures
Cost-to-income
41.5%
Operating efficiency
Effective tax rate
22.0%
Applied to RAROC numerator
Avg corporate PD
0.80%
Probability of default
Avg LGD unsecured
32.0%
Loss given default

How Handelsbanken prices corporate credit

Handelsbanken is a Sweden-based bank with approximately EUR 886bn of corporate credit exposure (EAD) under the Mixed approach to credit risk capital. The numbers below come directly from Handelsbanken's most recent Pillar 3 CR6 regulatory filings and are used to model how this bank prices corporate credit facilities.

What makes Handelsbanken's book distinctive

Handelsbanken is mid-sized by corporate EAD (16 of 59). Its cost-to-income ratio of 41.5% is exceptionally lean (-8.3pp vs the 59-bank cross-section average of 49.8%). The corporate portfolio is predominantly investment-grade, with an EAD-weighted average PD of 0.8% against a cross-bank average of 2.1%.

The consolidated book blends A-IRB and F-IRB sub-portfolios, so the headline PD and LGD averages mask meaningful dispersion between segments — relevant when benchmarking specific sectors or geographies. Unsecured LGD disclosed at 32.0% is -4.8pp against the 36.8% cross-bank average, indicating recovery assumptions that are more favourable than the peer median — often a feature of senior-unsecured lending to large investment-grade obligors.

On the standardised BBB+ EUR 25M 5-year term loan used across every bank profile, Handelsbanken lands in the top 10 by sample RAROC (#7 of 59), with a RAROC of 8.06% and a minimum spread of 233bp to reach the 12% hurdle. Within Sweden specifically, the bank ranks #1 of 3 on this same calculation.

ParameterValueWhat it means
IRB approachMixedHow the bank computes risk-weighted assets
Cost-to-income ratio41.5%Operating cost share of net revenue
Effective tax rate22.0%Applied to RAROC numerator after EL and funding
Average corporate PD0.80%EAD-weighted probability of default
Avg LGD (unsecured)32.0%Loss share if borrower defaults, no collateral
Avg LGD (secured)18.0%Loss share with eligible collateral
Funding spread10bpBank's wholesale funding cost above risk-free
Corporate EADEUR 886bnTotal exposure at default to corporates

Sample RAROC calculation

On a representative BBB+ rated, 5-year term loan of EUR 25M at 150bp spread with a 20bp commitment fee, Handelsbanken would generate an estimated RAROC of 8.06% against a typical 12% bank hurdle rate. To hit that hurdle on this exact deal, the bank would need a minimum spread of 233bp. This deal is below target — the bank would likely push for higher pricing or additional ancillary business.

ComponentValue
Annual revenue (spread + fees)EUR 385,000
Operating costEUR 154,000
Expected loss (PD × LGD × EAD)EUR 28,750
Capital required (FPE)EUR 2,451,320
RAROC (after tax)8.06%
Min spread to hit 12% RAROC233bp

How Handelsbanken compares to peers

Out of 59 banks in the OpenRAROC dataset, Handelsbanken ranks #7 by RAROC on this sample deal.

RankBankCountryRAROCMin spread
1Qatar National BankQatar9.00%203bp
2DBS GroupSingapore8.18%224bp
3JP MorganUnited States8.12%231bp
4ICBCChina8.06%233bp
5China Construction BankChina8.06%233bp
6Bank of ChinaChina8.06%233bp
7HandelsbankenSweden8.06%233bp
8SwedbankSweden8.01%232bp
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Frequently asked questions about Handelsbanken

What is Handelsbanken's average corporate PD?
Handelsbanken discloses an EAD-weighted average corporate probability of default of 0.80% in its most recent Pillar 3 CR6 table, covering roughly EUR 886bn of corporate credit exposure.
How much spread does Handelsbanken need on a BBB+ EUR 25M 5-year term loan?
On that standardised facility, Handelsbanken requires a minimum spread of approximately 233bp to reach a 12% RAROC hurdle, given its disclosed cost-to-income of 41.5%, effective tax rate of 22.0%, and Mixed IRB designation.
Which IRB approach does Handelsbanken use for corporate credit?
Handelsbanken reports corporate credit RWA under the Mixed approach. This determines whether internal LGD models or supervisory LGDs apply, and directly affects the capital required on each facility.
How does Handelsbanken rank versus peers on RAROC?
Out of 59 banks tracked by OpenRAROC, Handelsbanken ranks #7 on the standardised BBB+ term-loan calculation used across every bank profile. Within Sweden specifically, it ranks #1 of 3.
Where does OpenRAROC get Handelsbanken's data?
Every number on this page is extracted from Handelsbanken's own public filings: Handelsbanken Highlights Annual Report FY2025 (4 Feb 2026) p.51 capital req; Risk and Capital Pillar 3 2025 (26 Feb 2026). No estimates, no proxies. Source confidence: medium.

Data source

Handelsbanken Highlights Annual Report FY2025 (4 Feb 2026) p.51 capital req; Risk and Capital Pillar 3 2025 (26 Feb 2026)

Mixed A-IRB+F-IRB. Group RWEA: FIRB 64.6bn, AIRB 160.9bn, RW floors 254bn, SA 165.4bn. Corporate lending SEK 886bn (property mgmt 700bn + other 186bn). 98% corps in risk classes 1-5. Net credit loss reversals 8 consecutive quarters. FY2025 C/I 41.5%, ETR 22.0%. CET1 17.6%. AA- rated (highest among Euro banks). PD/LGD estimated from risk weights and peer (SEB PD 0.85%). CR6 detail in Pillar 3 PDF not directly accessible.

Confidence: medium · Read the full RAROC methodology

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