"This is an important agreement for EDB. It represents further confirmation that our solutions are competitive, and meet high standards of reliability and process efficiency. We are extremely pleased to be able continue the excellent collaboration we enjoy with Sparebanken Sør, Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane, Helgeland Sparebank and Gjensidige Bank", comments Endre Rangnes, CEO of EDB.

 

The agreement covers the supply of solutions and operating services for the banks' electronic services. The new contract also adds the solutions EDB Credit and Sales & Customer Service, which will deliver renewal for the banks' existing channels. By using solutions from EDB's portfolio, the banks benefit from the costs of developing the major components being shared with other EDB customers, while at the same time gaining access to the very latest developments in tools for customer management and case handling.

 

"The reliability and quality of the solutions on offer played a very important role in our choice of supplier. It is of crucial importance for us that we can offer our customers and employees efficient, user-friendly and forward-looking systems, and this is just what EDB has offered", comments Arvid Andenæs, Managing Director of Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane.  

 

The agreement runs from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2014 and represents total contract value of NOK 800 million. Around NOK 650 million of this is additional turnover for EDB, resulting from the extension of existing agreements and the sales of new solutions. As a result of the new contract, Helgeland Sparebank will migrate from its current channel solutions onto EDB's solutions portfolio.

 

Sparebanken Sør, Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane, Helgeland Sparebank and Gjensidige Bank are four independent Norwegian banks. The banks have negotiated the agreement with EDB as part of their collaboration agreement on purchasing. Each of the parties will continue to have a bilateral contractual relationship with EDB.

 

 

Endre Rangnes, CEO, EDB, + 47 22 77 21 01

Trond Teigene,  EVP - Administration, Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane. Tel: + 47 908 25 086

Kristian Kuvaas Johansen, EVP and CFO, EDB, + 47 476 03 334

Geir Remman, EVP - Corporate Communications, EDB, + 47 970 55 017

 

About Sparebanken Sør
Sparebanken Sør is an independent savings bank, and its objective is to be the largest of the leading financial institution in the Agder counties and in parts of Telemark. Through its expertise, decision-making capacity and closeness to its market, Sparebanken Sør aims to ensure that it offers a superior customer experience that makes Sparebanken Sør the natural first choice for retail and corporate customers in the bank's geographic area.

 

The bank's head office and executive management are located in Arendal.

Sparebanken Sør owns ABCenter AS, which is the largest real estate broker in Southern Norway.

 

About Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane
Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane is the largest bank in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, with total assets of over NOK 26.7 billion and 298 employees. The bank has a presence in 21 of the county's 26 municipalities, and also has a branch in Bergen. The bank has entered into a strategic alliance with Gjensidige.

 

About Helgeland Sparebank
Helgeland Sparebank is an independent savings bank, and its objective is to be the leading bank in the county of Helgeland. The bank's most important competitive advantages are closeness to its customers together with its extensive expertise and in-depth knowledge of local market conditions.

 

Helgeland Sparebank has around 200 employees, and has total assets of NOK 16.6 billion. The bank has 16 branches in the 14 municipalities in the county of Helgeland, and is structured as three divisions: Region South, Region North, and Central Functions.

 

About Gjensidige
Gjensidige is one of the leading players in the Nordic general insurance market. The group offers general insurance products in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the three Baltic countries.

 

In addition, the group offers online retail banking, pension and savings products and health insurance services in Norway. Gjensidige Bank was launched in 2007 and has total assets of NOK 7.5 billion. Information about the group is available on gjensidige.com

 

About EDB
EDB Business Partner is one of the leading IT groups in the Nordic region. The company offers solutions for the full range of business critical IT services. EDB aims to be a close and attentive partner that leverages its deep industry knowledge and international capabilities to help its customers realise the full potential of IT. The company has local presence in 13 countries, 6,200 employees and an annual turnover of NOK 8 billion. EDB Business Partner is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. www.edb.com