Aktia plc: Aktia updates financial objectives for 2015
Aktia implements an action program and updates its financial objectives for 2015. The update is motivated by the new business climate characterised by extremely low interest rates and new regulations. The action plan encompasses separate steps to be taken until 2015.
The aim is to improve competitiveness and offer the best customer service in Finland in selected customer segments.
Aktia will continue to strive for effective and customer-friendly service, and to provide financial solutions for households, business owners, small companies and institutions. The development of Internet services and the new Net bank, launched in 2012, continues. Aktia's branch network is being developed and modernised step-by-step, and we continue to train our already skilled personnel, focusing on proactive customer dialogue.
The work on improving the Group's cost structure takes highest priority. Simplifying the Aktia Group's cost structure improves cost efficiency in administration, processes and common Group functions. In 2013, a merger of holding company Aktia plc with Aktia Bank plc is planned, as well as concurrent introduction of the new parent company Aktia Bank plc onto the stock exchange.
Aktia also intends to continue to simplify its processes and modernise the Group's largest IT systems. This may have consequences for Aktia's relationship with IT supplier Samlink.
The plan of action also means that cooperation with the local banks will be re-negotiated, to adapt to the new regulations and business climate.
Aktia's financial objectives for 2015:
- Increase cross-selling index by 20%
- Increase commission income by 5% p.a. i.e. a total of EUR 10 million p.a.
- Cut expenses by 5% p.a. i.e.a total of EUR 20 million p.a.
- Tier 1 capital ratio at least 13 % over an economic cycle (upon approval of internal rating)
- Dividend pay-out 40–60% of profit after taxes
Aktia's strategic choices:
One Aktia (unchanged): We have chosen a centralised group management model in order to integrate subsidiaries under one brand, to create synergy effects and to develop a common approach to addressing our customers’ needs. Local decision-making continues to be our strength.
Geographical scope of activities (unchanged): We operate in Finland's bilingual coastal region and in selected cities.
Organic growth (unchanged): Our aim is to generate growth through cross-selling and in-creasing sales to existing customers and through new sales, particularly in the larger cities of Helsinki, Oulu, Tampere and Turku.
Competitive advantage through relationship-driven sales (unchanged): Aktia's competitive advantage lies in the dialogue between customers and staff, and in the availability of its services. Our ambition is to be the market leader in customer care in both of Finland's national languages. We aim for relationship-driven sales that are based on the customer's needs.
Cooperation with other actors (NEW): Aktia strives for economies of scale and savings measures within financing, supplementary products, service production and IT systems, and evaluates cooperation partners in a Nordic or global perspective. Veritas Pension Insurance and Folksam are Aktia's most important cooperation partners in insurance.
AKTIA PLC
Jussi Laitinen, CEO, tel. +358 10 247 6250
Stefan Björkman, Deputy Managing Director, CFO, tel. +358 10 247 63219
Distribution:
Nasdaq OMX Helsinki Ltd
Central media
www.aktia.fi
Aktia in brief:
Aktia Group provides a broad range of products within banking, insurance and real estate agency. Aktia operates mainly in coastal areas and inland growth areas. Aktia has about 400,000 customers who are served by ca 1,000 employees at 70 branch offices and via Internet and telephone services. Aktia's shares are listed on the list of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. For more information about Aktia see www.aktia.fi