11/04/2007 - SPB reports an 11% rise in sales to 51.3m euros for 2006

With sales of €51.3m in 2006, SPB is pursuing a development strategy based on three key product lines. These are insurance for payment instruments and cards, personal insurance, particularly for borrowers, and insurance programmes for mobile phones and hand-held devices. Moreover, since last year, the mobile / hand-held market accounts for more than 50% of sales volumes.

Because of heavy investment outlays for human and technological resources, operating profit was down 15% to €5 million. Net income was up 16% to €4.2m as a result of non-recurring items.

Forecasts for 2007 suggest that sales will grow by 12% to 14%. That growth will be driven not only by the three main product lines but also by SPB's direct marketing and international businesses, which are set to expand significantly in 2007.