BUZZ-View from the buyside: Svenska HB, Intesa Sanpaolo solid long-term bets - F&C Inv.

** Svenska Handelsbanken (LSE: 0HBV.L - news) & Intesa Sanpaolo stand out for F&C Investments' head of European equities David Moss in sector far better capitalized now after regulatory pressure to bolster balance sheets post-Lehman

** Moss sees scope for Sweden's HB, which has expanded at great clip in Britain since 2007-2009 financial crisis, to ramp up number of UK branches which are more profitable than in Sweden & for branches themselves to increase balance sheet size

** HB vastly different to UK rivals, whose public perception soured by mis-selling scandal & generous bonuses; HB has throwback local approach giving branch managers control over lending decisions, shuns bonuses

** HB trading at a premium vs other UK banks (P/B at 2.1 vs Lloyds at 1.5 & both StanChart (HKSE: 2888-OL.HK - news) & RBS on 0.8), but Moss backing it for >10-yr UK growth story

** Moss says Italy's Intesa Sanpaolo (Swiss: ISP.SW - news) , which he sees as very well run, well capitalized (particularly vs local peers) & conservative bank, overlooked amid country's poor economic backdrop

** Sees scope for some growth, as well as increase in divi over time

** Story on European banks' stress tests in nine Italian banks failed (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)