Sweden's financial watchdog fines SBB for accounting violations (updated)

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget I Norden AB

18/02/2026 07:53

Adds SBB statement in paragraph 3, background and share reaction in paragraphs 4-5

COPENHAGEN, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Sweden's financial regulator said on Wednesday it had imposed a fine of 80 million Swedish crowns ($8.9 million) on real estate group SBB SBBb.ST for violations of accounting rules on how consolidated financial statements should be prepared.

The Financial Supervisory Authority (FI) said in a statement that SBB in its 2021 financial report had not reported certain properties at their fair values, and had treated two acquisitions incorrectly.

SBB said in a statement it was evaluating the decision and whether to appeal.

The fine adds to the woes of SBB, an owner of properties such as hospitals and care homes, one of several European real estate groups forced to restructure and cut debt amid high interest rates and economic headwinds, particularly in Sweden.

Shares in SBB were down 2.4% by 0905 GMT.

As a result of the accounting errors, SBB's reported earnings for the year were 3.6 billion Swedish crowns higher than they should have been, and the group's stated financial position was incorrect, the regulator said.

"It is fundamental that consolidated accounts give a fair picture, otherwise there is a risk of jeopardising confidence in both the stock and bond markets," FI Director General Johan Almenberg said in the statement.

($1 = 8.9764 Swedish crowns)

 (Reporting by Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Louise Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

 ((stine.jacobsen@thomsonreuters.com; +45 2156 9010))