In the first half of 2020, Swiss Post generated Group profit of 30 million francs, 163 million francs less than the prior-year period. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Swiss Post has been considerable, with a negative coronavirus effect of around 120 million francs on the interim results.

Today the Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on the partial revision of the Postal Services Organization Act. The key element of the bill is the lifting of the ban on PostFinance providing loans and mortgages. Swiss Post and PostFinance expressly support the Federal Council’s proposal. It is essential that the ban is lifted for PostFinance and to ensure overdue equal treatment with other Swiss banks. With a strong PostFinance, Swiss Post can maintain public service provision for Switzerland and viably improve it for the future.

Felicia Kölliker, member of the Executive Board of PostFinance Ltd, Switzerland, was elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting of esisuisse members on 3 June 2020. She replaces Patrick Graf, who is leaving the Board of Directors after six years of service.

Swiss Post generated a lower result in the first quarter of 2020 than in the prior-year period. Group profit fell by 46 million, while operating profit came in at 57 million francs below the comparable figure for 2019. The financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic were already evident in the first three months and are likely to have a significant impact on Swiss Post’s annual result. The extraordinary situation has accelerated relevant developments and shows just how important Swiss Post is to Switzerland – especially in terms of logistics. It is vital that Swiss Post continues to drive forward its transformation to overcome its major, longstanding challenges.

PostFinance is expanding its range of investment products and launching four new digital investment solutions. Customers can select the level of support provided in line with their own requirements – from making investment decisions independently to complete management by PostFinance.

PostFinance is temporarily raising the limit for contactless payments without PIN entry on its payment cards from 40 francs to 80 francs. This enables customers and sales staff at checkouts to better protect themselves against the risk of infection from the new coronavirus.

The digital brokerage platform Valuu now offers its users a clearer overview when searching, comparing and taking out mortgages. This makes it easier for customers to access favourable interest rates from the comfort of their sofa – and also to receive personal advice from an expert.

Swiss Post generated Group profit of 255 million francs in 2019, a decline of 149 million francs compared to 2018. At 450 million francs, operating profit (EBIT) was 55 million francs lower, down 11 percent year-on-year. These results are unsurprising as Swiss Post continues to operate in a challenging environment.

This year’s pay negotiations between Swiss Post, PostFinance, syndicom and transfair have been successfully concluded. The social partners have agreed on salary measures of 0.8 percent and will increase the minimum wage by 200 francs. The changes will be implemented with the salary payment in April 2020.

Valuu has 6,000 registered users, is listing 17 mortgage lenders, is available as an app and in a desktop version, is available in French as well as German, and has brokered over CHF 100 million in financing solutions. A new user interface offering an even better experience is also set to be launched.

As of 1 July 2020, PostFinance will be increasing the fees for making inpayments at branch counters and at other physical Swiss Post access points. This will apply to inpayments with red inpayment slips (IS) and orange inpayment slips with reference number (ISR).

In the first three quarters of 2019, Swiss Post achieved a Group profit of 263 million francs, which is 54 million francs lower than in the previous year. The decisive factor behind this downturn are the challenging market conditions, resulting in a reduction in interest income at PostFinance of 129 million francs.