Home / Banks / Comparison

Handelsbanken vs Swedbank

Side-by-side credit pricing comparison from Pillar 3 disclosures.

Last updated: March 2026 · Data source: public Pillar 3 disclosures
Verdict:

On a representative BBB+ EUR 25M 5-year term loan, Swedbank is the cheaper lender by 1bp in minimum spread. For a EUR 25M facility, that's EUR 1,499 per year.

Bank profiles compared

Metric Handelsbanken
Sweden
Swedbank
Sweden
IRB approachMixedMixed
Cost-to-income41.5%36.0%
Effective tax rate22.0%20.6%
Avg corporate PD0.80%1.87%
Avg LGD unsecured32.0%39.8%
Avg LGD secured18.0%21.1%
Funding spread (bp)10bp12bp
Corporate EADEUR 886bnEUR 727bn

Sample RAROC: BBB+ EUR 25M 5Y term loan

Both banks priced on the exact same deal — 150bp spread, 20bp commitment fee, 60-month maturity. Higher RAROC means the bank earns more from this deal. Lower min-spread means the borrower gets a better rate.

Component Handelsbanken Swedbank
Annual revenueEUR 385,000EUR 385,000
Operating costEUR 154,000EUR 154,000
Expected lossEUR 28,750EUR 28,750
Capital required (FPE)EUR 2,451,320EUR 2,451,320
RAROC (after tax)8.06%8.01%
Min spread for 12% RAROC233bp232bp
This is just one sample deal.

Your actual portfolio has different ratings, sizes, maturities, and collateral. The cheapest bank for one deal isn't always cheapest for another. Upload your real facilities and OpenRAROC will run the same calculation on each, against Handelsbanken, Swedbank, and 57 other banks.

Compare your portfolio

Read more

Handelsbanken full profile Swedbank full profile All banks RAROC methodology

FAQ: Handelsbanken vs Swedbank

Which bank is cheaper on corporate credit: Handelsbanken or Swedbank?
On a BBB+ EUR 25M 5-year term loan, Swedbank requires a minimum spread of 232bp to reach a 12% RAROC hurdle, versus 233bp at the other bank — a difference of 1bp on the same deal.
How do Handelsbanken and Swedbank compare on corporate PD?
Handelsbanken reports an EAD-weighted corporate PD of 0.80%, while Swedbank reports 1.87%. The gap reflects differences in obligor mix and geography rather than underwriting quality.
How do the two banks differ on IRB approach?
Handelsbanken uses Mixed and Swedbank uses Mixed. The IRB approach determines whether internal LGD models or supervisory LGDs apply, which materially affects capital required on every corporate facility.
What deal is used in this comparison?
A single standardised facility: BBB+ rated, EUR 25M drawn on a EUR 30M commitment, 5-year tenor, 150bp spread, 20bp commitment fee. Both banks are priced on this exact deal using their own disclosed Pillar 3 parameters.