Jens Magnusson, SEB’s Head of Personal Finance, has been appointed new Chief Economist of the bank. He will succeed Robert Bergqvist who, as previously communicated, has chosen to step down from his role to instead become Senior Economist within SEB.
Magnusson Robert Bergqvist will assume their new positions on 1 August 2021.
“As SEB’s Head of Personal Finance, Jens has made valuable contributions to the public debate and helped strengthen the image of SEB and the expertise that we possess,” says Johan Torgeby, SEB’s President and CEO. “With his societal engagement as well as his broad experience and competence – within macroeconomics, personal finance and economic policy – I am convinced that Jens will take on his new mission in an excellent way. I look forward to working together with both Jens and Robert in their new roles to continue to serve our customers and influence the public debate.”
Magnusson started at SEB in 2005, and has since 2013 been the bank’s Head of Personal Finance with a focus on everything from household finances and savings to pensions and the housing market. As such, Magnusson has among other things regularly published the Housing Price Indicator, The Savings Barometer and the Welfare Barometer. Magnusson has previously also been Head of Strategic Research at SEB Life as well as Head of Investment Strategy and Savings Communication. Between 2002-2005, Magnusson worked as Deputy Director at the Ministry of Finance and from 1998 as Desk Officer at both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Magnusson holds a Master of Science in Economics and Political Science from Stockholm University and has undertaken master studies in International Relations and International Political Economy at The Australian National University.
“It’s a great feeling and very stimulating to take up the position as SEB’s Chief Economist,” says Magnusson. “The global economy is in an incredibly interesting situation, when crisis policies of the pandemic need to be replaced with restart measures and more sustainable long-term policies. It is hard to imagine a more exciting point in time to assume this role and I look forward to following the development, piecing the puzzle together and drawing conclusions regarding the Swedish and international economy. Robert Bergqvist has done a fantastic job as my predecessor and it will be a privilege to continue working with him and the other very knowledgeable economists in the bank.”
