2013-01-08 09:05:34 -

3OP-Pohjola's construction project in Teollisuuskatu street, Helsinki, has
reached a deconstruction stage. Three buildings in the block facing towards
Teollisuuskatu street will be demolished during the first half of 2013 to make
way for a new building that will form OP-Pohjola's new facade. The
deconstruction work will last until summer 2013.

The construction project is aimed at creating flexible premises for employees
that support
new ways of working in the financial sector, with a view to establishing an
effective and responsible place to work. The space utilisation rate in the new
block will be 30 per cent higher without affecting work premises, and the
operating costs will decrease by around 25 per cent.

The Vallila block will have high architectural value and it will stand out
prominently in the cityscape, making a   statement on OP-Pohjola Group's identity
and values: People-first approach, Responsibility, and Prospering together.

At its meeting on 14 November 2012, the Helsinki City Council adopted a town
plan alteration related to OP-Pohjola's construction project.

Over 3,000 OP-Pohjola employees on the Vallila campus

Once the new buildings are finished and renovation completed, the Vallila campus
will provide a workplace for about 3,400 OP-Pohjola Group employees. All in all,
well over 60,000 square metres of office space will be built and renovated. OP-
Pohjola apologises for any inconvenience that the deconstruction and
construction work may cause in the neighbourhood.

JKMM Architects has designed OP-Pohjola Group's Vallila campus while Haahtela
Group has been in charge of construction consultancy. Construction and
renovation in the Vallila block will be completed by 2015.

The main entrance to OP-Pohjola has been located in Vääksyntie 4 since 2 January
2013. Those interested in the construction project can monitor its progress at
op.fi/vallila.


For more information, please contact:
Auni Palo, Director of Property Development, tel. 010 2521590
Erik Palmén, Chief Risk Officer, tel. 010 2528472


OP-Pohjola Group is Finland's leading financial services group providing a
unique range of banking, investment and insurance services. The Group's mission
is to promote the sustainable prosperity, well-being and security of its owner-
members, customers and operating regions through its local presence. Its
objective is to offer the best and most versatile package of loyal customer
benefits on the market. OP-Pohjola Group consists of some 200 member cooperative
banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative,
with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is the
listed company Pohjola Bank plc.




This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
    
Source: Pohjola Pankki Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1668829]