Birgitta Johansson-Hedberg, the out-going chief executive of Föreningssparbanken, one of the four largest banks in Sweden internationally known as Swedbank, is the favourite to take the top job at Skandia, the troubled Swedish finanial services firm.

Johansson-Hedberg said in December she would be stepping down from her role at Swedbank at the next annual general meeting (AGM) on April 10. Her contract at Swedbank was to expire in 2005 when she wanted to retire.