Accessibility

Using our website

Our goal is to develop our website according to WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards. This means that special technologies and processes are used to make the content more accessible for people with disabilities. Better accessibility can be further achieved by configuring some browser and operating system tools.

Keyboard-only navigation

This website allows visitors to navigate using only the keyboard. Navigation works by pressing the Tab key. Every keypress brings the focus to the next element, i.e. a link or a button. The element currently in focus is highlighted by a framed box around it. To activate this element, press the Enter key.

Zooming in and out

There are three main ways to zoom in a webpage: using your browser’s built-in capabilities, using your operating system’s built-in capabilities, or by installing a special plug-in for the browser. Our recommendation is to use the easiest way, which is the browser’s built-in zoom functionality. All the popular browsers allow zooming in and out by pressing the Ctrl (Cmd in OSX) and + or - keys. Alternatively, hold the Ctrl key and scroll up or down with the mouse.

Using a screen reader

A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen. This interpretation is then re-presented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a Braille output device.

The content of this website is created in accordance with the screen-reader technical standards. For example, pictures have Alt tags, special text-based descriptions; structural elements are placed and arranged so that the order of the information read by the screen reader is logical and easy to follow.

You can use one of these popular screen readers: JAWS (Windows); NVDA (Windows, free); VoiceOver (OSX, free built-in); Narrator (Windows OS, free).

Authentication

Choose an authentication tool that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Access Swedbank’s digital environment with your preferred authentication tools.

Customer service in a branch

A customer may be accompanied at the bank by an assistant of their choosing. The assistant will need to present their identification document and complete a special form.

Visiting a branch

We advise to book a meeting in advance. One hour before the meeting you will receive an SMS with a code. When entering a branch, follow the tactile guides and go to the queue management machine and enter the code. To use a queue machine, insert the headphones into the audio socket on the right-hand side of the queue machine or use the button on the front of the machine with the human-shaped protrusion to switch on the loudspeaker. You can follow the instructions using the tactile buttons on the side and front of the queue machine. The speed and volume of speaking can be adjusted at the front of the queue machine.

If you can’t find or don’t understand some information, you can press “Assistant needed” button located at the front of the queue machine, and our consultant will assist you.

Self-service area

The Internet Banking kiosk is equipped with text-to-speech technology and allows the use of personal headsets, or they could be provided by the bank employee upon request. The Internet Banking kiosk is equipped with flexible magnification, brightness, and contrast change by pressing a key combination.

For the screen reader to be launched, headphones with the 3.5 mm plug must be connected to the USB-A adapter and inserted into the computer’s USB port. The screen reader quits automatically when the USB adapter is removed from the computer.

If necessary, you can ask the branch staff for headphones.

ATM machines

All Swedbank ATMs are equipped with an audio guide (in Latvian and English). To use the ATM with the audio guide, insert your headphones into the audio socket located to the right of the keypad. Next to the audio jack on the right is a button that allows you to adjust the volume of the audio guide. After connecting your headphones, follow the instructions using the keypad located in the middle of the ATM.

Headphones with a standard 3.5 mm plug can be connected to the ATM. If necessary, you can ask for the headphones from the branch employees.

ATMs are also equipped with contactless (NFC) functionality. To withdraw cash or use another service at a contactless ATM, the customer must tap their contactless payment card, smartphone, or smartwatch with the contactless payment feature enabled and enter the card's PIN code.

Payment cards

The notch on the side of the payment card helps visually impaired people differentiate between credit and debit cards, and to understand how to correctly insert the card into an ATM or payment terminal. A circular notch indicates debit cards, while a rectangular notch indicates credit cards.