Swiss Post and PostFinance have presented the Swiss WCM Award for the fourth time. Two companies were awarded the prize for their pioneering role in different service fields relating to working capital management.

In the first half of 2017, Swiss Post generated Group profit of 394 million francs (previous year: 313 million francs). Operating profit (EBIT) rose to 547 million francs, representing an increase of 164 million francs. A large part of this – around 155 million francs – was due to the improved result in the financial services market. Efficiency measures, the restructuring of the post office network and the ongoing adjustment of our services to adapt to changing customer behaviour also contributed to the good result.

PostFinance has acquired a minority interest in the social trading platform wikifolio. wikifolio combines financial investments with the principles of social networks: traders publish their trading activity on the platform in practice custody accounts. Followers can benefit from the traders’ expertise by replicating their investment strategy.

Cyber-criminals regularly attempt to gain access to computers and online banking via fraudulent e-mails and phone calls. You can ensure effective protection against fraud by taking a few simple steps.

PostFinance Benefit provides PostFinance’s private customers with discounts of up to 30% in a wide range of retail outlets and online shops based on their affinities. In order to use PostFinance Benefit, PostFinance customers must first consent to the analysis of their transactions.

In the first quarter of 2017, Swiss Post generated Group profit of 267 million francs, representing an increase of 75 million francs year-on-year. Operating profit (EBIT) rose by 126 million francs to 333 million francs. This increase was mainly due to capital gains realized on the sale of two equity portfolios at PostFinance. The result was also boosted by ongoing efficiency measures in the core business and the further development of our services.

The PostFinance Board of Directors has appointed Gabriela Länger as the new Head of Working Environment from 1 November 2017. In this role, she will also be joining the financial provider’s Executive Board. Working Environment covers both the Human Resources and Logistics units with more than 100 employees.

The PostFinance website received a new look last weekend. The fully revised website comprises lean structures, a functional search engine, easily understandable contents and a modern design. The user interface has been completely revamped to enable customers to access the contents relevant to them as quickly and easily as possible.

PostFinance has acquired a minority stake in the Swiss start-up RaiseNow. RaiseNow provides digital solutions for fundraising. Customers include charities and other non-profit organizations as well as companies engaged in social activities.

Statement from Hansruedi Köng

As of January 2019, the QR bill will replace the current orange and red Swiss inpayment slips. The Swiss financial center has today announced the technical specifications of the new solution. This has paved the way for the new solution to be connected to banks and software companies.

Swiss Post is continuing to face pressure in its core business due to the accelerating pace of structural change. As a result, Swiss Post recorded an operating profit (EBIT) of 704 million francs for 2016. That is 119 million francs less than in the previous year. Operating income is solid at 8,188 million francs.