Letter from the Chairman of the Executive Board Hypo Alpe-Adria-Leasing Holding AG
Josef Kircher
Dear customers, business partners and employees,
The third full business year of the Leasing Group in its new organisational form proved highly satisfactory. We were not only able to achieve growth in markets where we already had a presence, but also made successful progress in new markets such as Hungary
During the past year, Hypo Group Alpe Adria Leasing was again able to achieve a record result thanks to improvements in all its main key indicators. In the past year alone, we were able to deal successfully with a new financing volume of EUR 1.90 billion with a workforce of 735 at sixtytwo locations. This represents an increase of 37.7 % and roughly the total assets of the Leasing
Once again, the results for the 2006 financial year demonstrate the probity of our decision to found our companies in south-eastern Europe at an early point in time. As a leasing pioneer, we have developed into the market and innovation leader in a number of high-growth countries and segments. We are often the first choice partner for people seeking leasing throughout the region. Moreover, since the last financial year we also possess subsidiaries in Hungary, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
Especially in the ambitious new EU member state of Bulgaria, we have established a presence at precisely the right time and place. In addition, the newly founded subsidiary in Macedonia commenced operative activities at the beginning of 2007. In general, as the first Hypo Alpe Adria company, we are able to provide existing customers of the Hypo Group Alpe Adria with optimum support during their expansion. In 2007, we will also be intensively considering further expansion in states such as Ukraine.
Irrespective of whether in the »classic« segments such as vehicle or equipment leasing, or with regard to the financing of real estate, the leasing market in south-eastern Europe is expanding rapidly. In 2007, we will continue to further enlarge the »largest network in the region«, in order to use the potential available in every country to a maximum extent. At the same time, we intend to strengthen our position in leasing niche markets such as those for vessels and aircraft, or eco-energy generation systems for the production of electricity from biomass, wind and solar power. Particularly in the photovoltaic area, we are confident that we can provide support to major producers during their international expansion with leasing finance. At the end of June 2006, we were first able to assume market leadership in the Austrian aircraft financing sector. The real estate sector possesses great potential especially in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In addition to our geographical presence, our comprehensive product portfolio is one of the main reasons why today we are the first address for persons searching for leasing financing. In the meantime, our range and special know-how includes vehicle leasing (for everything from scooters to luxury buses), aircraft leasing (from gliders and private jets to passenger aircraft), ship leasing (from yachts to cruise ships), real estate leasing (public housing projects, hospitals, business and production centres) and equipment leasing. In the past financial year, we tightened up our branch network, enlarged our product portfolio and successfully consolidated our market position. Moreover, although there are various factors that are currently restricting market growth, such as the high refinancing costs caused by increased interest rates, the generally positive economic situation and the above-average growth in the markets where we are active represent solid reasons for a positive view of the future.
Our long-term experience with the special legal and tax-related features of the local markets throughout the region, our customer proximity and leasing expertise constitute our most important assets and manifest themselves in our excellently qualified and motivated employees. I would like to thank both them and our customers for having placed their confidence in us. A strong and stable network of employees, customers and partners throughout the entire region facilitates the fulfilment of our claim to be the first address for leasing finance in the Alps-Adriatic region.
Yours sincerely
The third full business year of the Leasing Group in its new organisational form proved highly satisfactory. We were not only able to achieve growth in markets where we already had a presence, but also made successful progress in new markets such as Hungary
During the past year, Hypo Group Alpe Adria Leasing was again able to achieve a record result thanks to improvements in all its main key indicators. In the past year alone, we were able to deal successfully with a new financing volume of EUR 1.90 billion with a workforce of 735 at sixtytwo locations. This represents an increase of 37.7 % and roughly the total assets of the Leasing
Once again, the results for the 2006 financial year demonstrate the probity of our decision to found our companies in south-eastern Europe at an early point in time. As a leasing pioneer, we have developed into the market and innovation leader in a number of high-growth countries and segments. We are often the first choice partner for people seeking leasing throughout the region. Moreover, since the last financial year we also possess subsidiaries in Hungary, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
Especially in the ambitious new EU member state of Bulgaria, we have established a presence at precisely the right time and place. In addition, the newly founded subsidiary in Macedonia commenced operative activities at the beginning of 2007. In general, as the first Hypo Alpe Adria company, we are able to provide existing customers of the Hypo Group Alpe Adria with optimum support during their expansion. In 2007, we will also be intensively considering further expansion in states such as Ukraine.
Irrespective of whether in the »classic« segments such as vehicle or equipment leasing, or with regard to the financing of real estate, the leasing market in south-eastern Europe is expanding rapidly. In 2007, we will continue to further enlarge the »largest network in the region«, in order to use the potential available in every country to a maximum extent. At the same time, we intend to strengthen our position in leasing niche markets such as those for vessels and aircraft, or eco-energy generation systems for the production of electricity from biomass, wind and solar power. Particularly in the photovoltaic area, we are confident that we can provide support to major producers during their international expansion with leasing finance. At the end of June 2006, we were first able to assume market leadership in the Austrian aircraft financing sector. The real estate sector possesses great potential especially in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In addition to our geographical presence, our comprehensive product portfolio is one of the main reasons why today we are the first address for persons searching for leasing financing. In the meantime, our range and special know-how includes vehicle leasing (for everything from scooters to luxury buses), aircraft leasing (from gliders and private jets to passenger aircraft), ship leasing (from yachts to cruise ships), real estate leasing (public housing projects, hospitals, business and production centres) and equipment leasing. In the past financial year, we tightened up our branch network, enlarged our product portfolio and successfully consolidated our market position. Moreover, although there are various factors that are currently restricting market growth, such as the high refinancing costs caused by increased interest rates, the generally positive economic situation and the above-average growth in the markets where we are active represent solid reasons for a positive view of the future.
Our long-term experience with the special legal and tax-related features of the local markets throughout the region, our customer proximity and leasing expertise constitute our most important assets and manifest themselves in our excellently qualified and motivated employees. I would like to thank both them and our customers for having placed their confidence in us. A strong and stable network of employees, customers and partners throughout the entire region facilitates the fulfilment of our claim to be the first address for leasing finance in the Alps-Adriatic region.
Yours sincerely
Josef Kircher
Chairman of the Executive Board
of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Leasing Holding AG
and Member of the Executive Board
of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG
Chairman of the Executive Board
of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Leasing Holding AG
and Member of the Executive Board
of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG
