EANS-News: Hypoport AG Dr. Klein: double-digit growth in advisors and branches
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Company Information/Volume of Private Clients transactions
Berlin (euro adhoc) - The Private Clients division of financial service provider
Dr. Klein & Co. AG generated significant double-digit growth in 2012, with the
number of its advisors rising by 18 per cent year on year to 759. Dr. Klein's
branch network expanded by 16 per cent to 206 outlets, strengthening the
Company's position as the largest franchise organisation in the German financial
services industry. The nationwide increase in the numbers of Dr. Klein's
advisors and branches is also reflected in the transaction volumes generated
across its various business lines. The value of loan brokerage transactions
advanced by 19 per cent, while the volume of insurance transactions was dented
by the tough market conditions and consequently fell by 13 per cent year on year
despite positive effects from the growth in the branch network.
Dr. Klein & Co. AG thus made a valuable contribution to the transaction growth
achieved by the Private Clients business in the Hypoport Group. In 2012 this
business unit generated a total transaction volume of some EUR4.59 billion from
loan brokerage, which constituted a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent (2011:
EUR3.86 billion). The value of transactions generated across all insurance
products last year declined to EUR23.8 million owing to the regulatory and
interest-rate challenges facing the insurance market (2011: EUR27.5 million). By
significantly raising the number of its advisors, Dr. Klein managed to position
itself well for the future despite the adverse trends prevailing in the
insurance market. Stephan Gawarecki, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Dr.
Klein, believes that the growth in the numbers of advisors and branches can be
attributed to the Company's business model.
"The huge loss of trust and confidence in the financial services sector is
making customers increasingly discerning. This is boosting demand for impartial
advisors who offer clear and comprehensive advice. Dr. Klein has been winning
trust and operating successfully according to this principle ever since 1954 and
is therefore an employer of choice for highly qualified financial advisors."
2012 was a great year for loan products
The low level of interest rates made highly attractive borrowing terms available
for customers in 2012. The volume of mortgage finance transactions grew by 20.5
per cent year on year to EUR4.17 billion (2011: EUR3.46 billion), while the
volume of building finance transactions generated over the same period jumped by
an impressive 42.7 per cent to EUR104 million (2011: EUR73.1 million). The
market for personal loans remained more or less flat in 2012, as it had in the
previous year. This trend was illustrated by the volume of personal loans
brokered, which was virtually unchanged at EUR311.7 million (2011: EUR319.8
million).
Regulation and low interest rates acting as a drag on the insurance market
Several trends and developments in the insurance market had a particularly
negative impact on high-margin insurance products in 2012. In addition, the
lacklustre operating environment delayed - and diminished - the amount of
year-end business that is usually generated from October onwards. The value of
health insurance products sold fell by 47.9 per cent to EUR7.3 million owing to
the recent capping of commissions and the extension of policy cancellation
periods (2011: EUR14.1 million). At the same time the low level of interest
rates caused problems for life insurance companies. The total value of life
insurance policies and personal investments sold rose by 15.2 per cent to
EUR13.3 million despite the challenging market conditions (2011: EUR11.5
million). General insurance - Dr. Klein's smallest product segment - grew by a
substantial 70.8 per cent to EUR3.2 million (2011: EUR1.9 million). The total
portfolio of policies under management at the end of 2012 had increased by 0.83
per cent compared with the previous quarter to EUR73.0 billion (Q3 2012: EUR72.4
billion).
Information on Dr. Klein
Dr. Klein is an independent provider of financial services for private and
corporate clients. It offers personalised solutions for private clients' full
range of financial needs. Around 750 specialists deliver impartial and
comprehensive advice over the internet and at more than 200 branches on issues
such as current accounts, deposits, insurance, investments, mortgages and
personal loans. Dr. Klein & Co. AG has been a major financial service partner to
housing companies, local authorities and commercial property investors since
1954. It provides its institutional clients with a fully integrated service
comprising expert advice and customised solutions in the areas of financial
management, portfolio management and insurance for business customers. Its
client-focused advisory expertise and close, longstanding relationships with all
leading banks and insurance companies ensure that its customers always have
quick and easy access to the best financial services. Dr. Klein is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Hypoport AG, an online financial service provider that is
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Further inquiry note:
Michaela Reimann
Head of Corporate Communications
Telefon: +49 (0) 30 42086 1936
E-Mail: michaela.reimann@hypoport.de
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: Hypoport AG
Klosterstraße 71
D-10179 Berlin
phone: +49(0)30 42086-0
FAX: +49(0)30 42086-1999
mail: ir@hypoport.de
WWW: http://www.hypoport.de
sector: Financial & Business Services
ISIN: DE0005493365
indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English