In the fiscal year just ended, the banking segment grew its revenue by 11 % to € 1,028 million (previous year: € 930 million). This growth was achieved largely in other European countries. Operating profit (EBITA) climbed € 13 million to € 105 million (previous year: € 92 million), representing a rise of 14 %. This increase in profit was the result of higher net sales revenue and strict management of costs. Return on sales improved to 10.2 % (previous year: 9.8 %).

Our competitive advantages are not just our high product quality but, in particular, our solution concepts that combine hardware and software as well as services that cover entire business processes within bank branches and thus, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a system over its installed life. One of our key strengths is that we offer products, solutions and IT services worldwide for all areas of self-service and front-office automation in branch banking. In addition, our extensive range of consulting services helps with specific branch redesigns and reorganization activities.

These skills as well as our accumulated know-how and business process knowledge in the retail segment are transferable to a large extent to the reorganization and redesign of post office branches. As a result, we are well positioned to compete in this market segment.