Swedish c.bank lowers bank loan loss f'cast

STOCKHOLM Nov 26 (Reuters) - Sweden's central bank on Thursday said it expected loan losses for the Nordic country's banks to be lower than it had estimated earlier this year, though risks remained considerable. In its latest financial stability report, published twice a year, the Riksbank said it expected loan losses from 2009-2011 at the major Swedish banks to total 155 billion Swedish crowns ($22.4 billion).

"The Riksbank's assessment is that the major banks' resilience has improved," the central bank said in a statement.

"....the banks have sufficient capital to meet larger losses than in the main scenario."

((Stockholm Newsroom, tel: +46-8-700 1017, e-mail: stockholm.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com)) ($1=6.910 Swedish Crown)