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specific recommendations are made and counter-measures are introduced,
creating fresh scope and activating unused potential. This very well-received
advisory service takes on added significance with a view to the requirements
and opportunities created by “Basel II”.
Internet portal now for large corporates as well
Following last May’s successful introduction of our Mittelstand internet portal,
“companydirect”, which now already has 16,000 users, we also launched a portal
for large corporates, “companyworld”, in September. Via “companydirect”,
smaller businesses can handle standard products, such as German and crossborder
payments, as well as requesting banking products related to the investment
of funds and financing. They also have access to the services of Group and
third-party financial associates, for instance in order to finance investment using
leasing or factoring solutions.
For the Mittelstand, “companydirect” is a reasonably-priced online supermarket,
covering their daily needs in financial services. By contrast, “companyworld”
is a virtual delicatessen, focusing on cash management, foreign-currency
dealing, treasury, liquidity analysis and currency management. It is our declared
goal to become the leading provider for corporate clients in Germany.
Covering eventualities ever more important
Especially in economically difficult times, more flexible working times are one of
the major labour-market challenges. With its special products for securing credit
balances deriving from working-time accounts, Commerzbank in conjunction
with professional partners boasts a good market position. An encouraging
upward trend can be noted in the balances secured with us. We assume that
there is substantial business potential here in the years ahead as well.
Export financing fares well
In medium and long-term export financing, the positive development of the past
few years was maintained. Even though the repercussions of September 11,
2001 can still be felt, aircraft financing has performed well. There was particularly
brisk demand for structured trade financing, where we were able to
improve our market position.
com:pany.news – newsletter for corporates
We have introduced com:pany.news as a topical and informative service for our
corporate clients. The quarterly newsletter reports on practical topics related to
investment, financing and transaction management. Above all, it seeks to give
corporate customers concrete recommendations which they can implement. The
online version of this newsletter makes direct dialogue possible with our customers.
com:pany.news is part of our marketing and communication strategy for
stepping up contact with our clients.
CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANKING 35