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EOS Newsroom

Annual and Sustainability Report 2023/24

Very good results in challenging times: In its 50th anniversary year, the EOS Group looks back on a demanding and successful financial year 2023/24. All key figures, business highlights and exciting throwbacks to 50 years of EOS as well as achievements and highlights of the EOS Group's commitment to its social, societal and environmental responsibility can be found in this year's annual and sustainability report.
2023/24

EOS Magazine

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Марвин Рамке, изпълнителен директор, в светло помещение, стои изправен със син костюм и дясната си ръка в джоба на панталона.

Interview: EOS Board on the 2023/24 financial year

7 min.
The EOS Board on the 2023/24 financial year: How business has developed in the regions, why sustainability remains a key focus area, and how EOS is optimally prepared for the future.
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ESG: EOS has a clear agenda for environmentally conscious and socially responsible action. Corporate Responsibility experts see to it that the strategy is being implemented in the national companies.

ESG experts promoting sustainability at EOS internationally

4 min.
Commitment to strategy: Sustainability is becoming a success factor for financial companies. ESG experts at EOS are driving environmentally conscious and socially responsible action internationally.
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Справедливо събиране на дългове: Неизправен потребител обработва плащането си лесно и анонимно чрез смартфон.

Fair debt collection: A question - EOS has concrete answers

3 min.
The central question in responsible debt collection is: How do we handle defaulting consumers? As EOS demonstrates, there is more than one good answer to this question.
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Unsecured receivables: Image shows two people looking at an invoice together.

Unsecured receivables: How EOS stabilizes companies.

3 min.
Whether they are a bank, energy utility, telecoms or e-commerce firm, EOS helps businesses from a wide range of sectors to reliably plan ahead by purchasing their unsecured receivables.
Learn more
Headshot of Stephan Ohlmeyer, member of the EOS Board, and Jan Ottenbreit, Head of Division Central Europe.

New EOS region Central Europe: “We’re creating openness to new goals”

3 min.
Better knowledge transfer and greater openness to new business areas are what EOS aims to achieve with the new Central Europe region.
Learn more
IFC representatives visited the EOS Group in Hamburg, celebrating the cooperation in the Polish market and solidifying the commitment to sustainable investments.

ESG criteria: EOS and IFC pursue sustainable portfolio acquisition

3 min.
In Poland and southeastern Europe, IFC (International Finance Corporation) and EOS apply strict ESG criteria covering social and environmental aspects when buying NPL portfolios.
Learn more
Illustration of woman in front of computer facing a robot

RPA: Improving quality with software robots at EOS

2 min.
“Programmed revolution”: The EOS Group is optimizing its digital receivables management with robotic process automation, freeing up staff for more complex and creative tasks.
Learn more
Cybersecurity expert Janusch Skubatz, Chief Information Security Officer of the EOS Group, with brown hair and white shirt

Not sure about generative AI? The balance between innovation and risk.

4 min.
Generative AI offers companies enormous potential. The Otto Group reduces these risks with its in-house ogGPT tool. The EOS Group also benefits from this.
Learn more
One illustration shows a robot or chatbot holding up various charts and texts, as well as several employees working on computers and asking the chatbot questions.

How generative AI is taking over routine tasks in the financial sector

3 min.
Already, generative AI can handle a lot of typical tasks in financial services companies. EOS is testing how chatbots can reduce employee workload even more and improve their efficiency.
Learn more
A photo shows a dilapidated building in Režanci, Croatia. A ‘stranded asset’ that EOS Croatia is putting back on the market.

Stranded assets: EOS creates solutions for unusable real estate.

2 min.
The number of unusable properties is growing, partly as a result of increasing requirements for sustainability. EOS is developing new areas of expertise to bring stranded assets like these back onto the market.
Learn more
Групова снимка показва изпълнителните директори на EOS (отляво надясно) Андреас Кроп (Германия), Юстус Хекинг-Велтман (финанси), Марвин Рамке (председател на Съвета на директорите), Карстен Тидов (Източна Европа) и д-р Андреас Витциг (Западна Европа).

2022/23 fiscal year: The Board of the EOS Group takes stock.

4 min.
In this interview, the members of the Board of the EOS Group talk about the positive developments in fiscal 2022/23, employees, diversity, and the responsibility of debt collection companies.
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Cybersecurity is a top priority for EOS. To achieve this the company is setting up an international protective shield.

EOS Group relies on cutting-edge technology for data protection.

2 min.
Using cutting-edge technology, EOS protects the data of customers and consumers from attacks by criminals. The new cyber-shield “Iron EOS” makes this an even faster and more efficient process.
Learn more
A man and a woman having a relaxed-looking conversation, as a symbolic image of a corporate culture where employees have autonomy.

Empowerment: How EOS attracts and retains employees.

3 min.
Supporting and encouraging people ensures growth: EOS has created numerous programs that enable employees to grow both personally and professionally.
Learn more
Главна снимка показва Кристиан Мусат, управляващ директор EOS International BVG и „мозъка“ на проекта Kollecto+.

Debt collection software: More efficiency thanks to standardized system.

2 min.
In the Kollecto+ collection system, all EOS companies pool their knowledge and experience, and in doing so improve the efficiency of the entire Group.
Learn more
 A graphic shows several people communicating with each other through email, conversations, and letters.

How EOS makes debt collection responsible and fair.

3 min.
EOS stands for fair and respectful receivables management. The debt collection company accomplishes this with technology that simplifies processes for consumers and with trained staff.
Learn more
Financial literacy: Learning at an early age about how to handle money properly can protect people from excessive debt later on.

Financial literacy: How EOS is committed to improving financial skills.

4 min.
A lack of financial education can accelerate the path to excessive personal debt, especially among young people. With its debt collection expertise, EOS supports financial literacy programs that aim to counter such developments.
Learn more
A photomontage shows a car traveling toward the sunset in the right lane of a paved road in an open, green landscape. The asphalt on the opposite lane is completely worn down.

International debt collection: EOS handles receivables management globally for Hertz.

3 min.
Cross-border receivables present both logistical and legal challenges. Car rental company Hertz relies on the expertise of EOS for its international debt collection.
Learn more
An illustration shows a man and a woman in business attire shaking hands. In the background is a globe with several locations pinned on it – and a stylized income statement.

International debt collection: How EOS processes receivables worldwide.

3 min.
EOS is active in 180 countries with its own companies or selected partners. Banks that regularly sell cross-border debts to EOS also profit from this network.
Learn more
Financial literacy means responsibility: A girl sits at a laptop and takes part in online learning.

How EOS is committed to a debt-free world.

5 min.
In order to curb excessive personal debt, EOS is taking responsibility and is committed to improving financial literacy in society.
Learn more
EOS in the UN Global Compact: At EOS, Sibylle Weingart is responsible for issues of corporate responsibility.

EOS in the UN Global Compact: Taking CR to the next level.

6 min.
Joining the UN Global Compact is helping EOS to devise a strategy for its corporate social responsibility. How can the goals of the initiative be applied to your own business?
Learn more
Technology highlights of the EOS Group: overview of all trends.

From analytics to security tools: The tech highlights of the EOS Group.

3 min.
Year after year, EOS invests in new technological trends. Four examples show how EOS clients, and consumers, can now benefit from these technologies.
Learn more
EOS Annual Report 2021/22: Secured debt purchase at EOS

Interview: “The secured receivables market is all about relationships”

6 min.
EOS has greatly expanded its expertise in the processing of non-performing secured loans in recent years. Experts from two EOS countries share their experiences and provide insights into two very different markets.
Learn more
Това е новата марка EOS: Марвин Рамке представя себе си и новото лого на ЕOS.

The new EOS brand: Pioneering and more dynamic and digital.  

3 min.
In this interview, CEO Marwin Ramcke talks about the mindset behind the brand and what it means for the company’s business partners.
Learn more
Portrait photograph of Marwin Ramcke, Managing Director of the EOS Group and responsible for the Eastern Europe region

Interview with new EOS CEO Ramcke: “We are going to set new benchmarks.”

4 min.
Marwin Ramcke leads the EOS Group as new CEO. In this interview he reveals his plans for the future and discusses the challenges he sees managers facing today.
Learn more
bubble, heart

EOS Chatbot Survey: How employees and customers profit from AI

4 min.
Chatbots relieve employees of simple tasks – giving them more time for more complex customer issues and increasing their satisfaction.
Learn more
envelope, alarm, push-button, switch, clock

EOS 2021 Chatbot Survey: Two of three companies use bots.

5 min.
Nearly two thirds of European companies are already using chatbots – and this number is growing. But they are still leaving a lot of potential untapped.
Learn more
Стратегията КСО на групата EOS EOS Цетрала в Щайндам в Хамбург

How debt collection can help create a sustainable world

6 min.
The EOS Group is resolutely pursuing its corporate responsibility agenda. But climate protection is not the only objective. The company’s CR strategy focuses above all on social and corporate engagement.
Learn more
Real estate secured NPLs: in Bosnia the NPL market offers great potential.

Real estate secured receivables business is booming.

5 min.
The secured debt portfolio business is growing, especially at the EOS national subsidiaries in France and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An important advantage they have is the Group’s good name.
Learn more
Chatbots in debt collection service: Robots answer service queries on a laptop.

Debt collection service: Chatbots never sleep

4 min.
As the technological options available have increased in recent years so too have consumer expectations about the accessibility of customer service. Nowadays, many companies are using chatbots to ensure faster, round-the-clock processing of customer issues. At EOS too, virtual assistants are giving defaulting payers information and thus providing support to service personnel.
Learn more

Survey shows that one in three Bulgarians has incurred excessive debt since the outbreak of the pandemic.

3 min.
How many people have gone into debt during the pandemic, and how many have even incurred excessive debt? The Covid-19 Financial Report provides insights into the financial situation of consumers.
Learn more
Data protection in the debt collection context: Stephan Bovermann, Senior Group Privacy Officer at EOS

Data protection in debt collection: How our data privacy officers work

4 min.
Data protection is not nearly as boring as it is made out to be, at least according to Senior Privacy Officer Stephan Bovermann. In this article he explains how EOS deals with sensitive data.
Learn more
Receivables purchasing: Matthias Schmidt, Head of Operational Debt Purchase at EOS Group, sits in front of a wall covered in post-its and other notes.

How portfolio valuation works in receivables purchasing

4 min.
When selling receivables the aim is to get a purchase price that is as fair as possible. To guarantee this to the seller, a purchaser like EOS first of all has to get to know the portfolio. Before submitting an offer, the portfolio is thoroughly scrutinized.
Learn more
Andreas Behmenburg, Regional Sales Manager for EOS in Germany, helps in cases of identity fraud with his colleagues alleged fraud victims.

Ensuring liquidity despite coronavirus: Why outsourcing debt collection is worthwhile at this point in time

2 min.
According to Andreas Behmenburg, now is the time to arrange for professional receivables management. In this interview he explains how companies can find a reputable debt collection partner.
Learn more
Бизнесменът гледа поглед: цифровото доверие на потребителите е ниско

EOS survey reveals that consumers have no digital trust

4 min.
Do you have digital trust? A recent EOS survey shows that only a minority of consumers believe that companies handle their personal data in a trustworthy way.
Learn more
Financial education for children: A schoolgirl looks at her budget.

Social responsibility: EOS puts financial education on the curriculum.

4 min.
Through the finlit foundation, EOS is committed to improving financial literacy to help counter excessive personal debt. The foundation’s first initiative is focusing on children.
Learn more
Дигитализацията: трима служители са в отворен офис – една жена е седнала на компютъра си измежду хартиите

Digitalization: Europe’s not doing enough.

Digitalization insufficient: Over half of European companies rate themselves poorly. This is shown by the EOS survey “European Payment Practices” 2019. Where are the weaknesses?
Learn more
Киберсигурност: охранител наблюдава сървърното помещение

Cyber security a trending issue for European companies

In matters of data security there’s still work to do. An EOS survey shows that top decision-makers in European firms see cyber security as a trending issue.
Learn more
Digital payment with the phone is becoming a more common method. But in Europe the companies leg behind.

Digital payments: European companies lag behind.

The EOS survey “European Payment Practices” 2019 shows that only 28 percent of European companies offer digital payment. Will the EU Directive PSD2 create momentum in the market?
Learn more
The valuation of the secured portfolio at EOS

Secured Debts: What can go wrong with property deals.

2 min.
Missing walls, no power, illegally built: anyone purchasing debts secured against property in Eastern Europe needs to check every deal thoroughly first.
Learn more
European central bank is keeping an eye on NPLs and wants to provide bank with the incentive to sell these "bad loans"

NPL volumes: How they influence banks’ lending practices.

Tight credit terms with one bank, relaxed terms with another? Non-performing loan volumes in financial institutions provide an explanation for this.
Learn more
Изкуствен интелект: интелигентната виртуална асистентка Амелия на фирма IPsoft

Artificial intelligence: Why machines won’t make us unemployed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will not do away with a lot of jobs but make them more interesting by taking over routine tasks. The key to success: clean databases.
Learn more
Конюнктурна криза: мъж следи курсовете на акциите на монитора на компютъра си

Payment practices better than ever in Europe. For how much longer?

Payment practices in Europe have never been as good as they are today. But for how much longer? The EOS survey “European Payment Practices” 2019 shows how nervous companies are.
Learn more

Press releases

EOS Group reports substantial increase in earnings in fiscal 2022/23

Press Release

Hamburg, Germany, July 26, 2023

  • Significant increase in investment volume in Eastern and Western Europe
  • Even stronger focus on international collaboration and digitalization
  • Corporate Responsibility (CR): Combined Annual and Sustainability Report based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for first time
The EOS Group enjoyed strong growth in the 2022/23 financial year. Europe’s leading investor in non-performing loans, debt and real estate portfolios, and expert in the processing of outstanding receivables, achieved an EBITDA of EUR 445.9 million in fiscal 2022/23. A major factor in this success was the significant increase in investment volume of EUR 668.6 million (in the previous year) to EUR 1.2 billion, with EOS investing in both secured and unsecured receivables.

Outstanding operating performance

The expert processing of existing NPL portfolios (non-performing loans) from previous years also contributed to the increase in earnings and revenue in fiscal 2022/23. Marwin Ramcke, CEO of the EOS Group, had this to say: “Given the international political and macroeconomic situation at the beginning of the financial year, this kind of growth was not foreseeable. That we were able to achieve such a result in these turbulent times is due in particular to the dedication of our around 6,000 employees.”

The broad positioning of the EOS Group with 24 national subsidiaries in Europe has also had a positive impact on the overall result, says Justus Hecking-Veltman, CFO of the EOS Group. “Our diversification gives us enormous stability as a group of companies. We are not dependent on individual markets. Our longstanding expertise as a purchaser of NPL portfolios, but also our patience in certain markets, have paid dividends in this financial year,” says Hecking-Veltman.

Eastern Europe builds on previous year with high investment level

With a share of 42 percent, Eastern Europe is the strongest performing region within the EOS Consolidated. Compared with the previous year, the Eastern European subsidiaries were even able to increase their revenue by around 50 percent. “With an investment volume of around EUR 400 million, we were also able to build on our high figures from the year before,” says Carsten Tidow, the member of the Board responsible for Eastern Europe. This is exemplified not just by the renewed high investments in Greece, Poland and Croatia, but also by a small country like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the secured NPL portfolio business was heavily expanded.

Western Europe quadruples investment volume

At EUR 612 million, the EOS Consolidated managed to more than quadruple its investment volume in Western Europe. This is attributable above all to the markets in France and Spain, says Dr. Andreas Witzig, member of the Board with responsibility for Western Europe. In this conjunction, Portugal is also of particular note: “Although our company there was only founded in 2022, today more than 20 colleagues are active in the Portuguese NPL market and have been able to complete their first NPL purchases.” The implementation of Kollecto+, the Group’s own debt collection software, which is already in use in eight EOS countries and creates relevant synergies, also contributed to the company’s good start.

High competitive pressures in Germany

In the German market, the EOS Consolidated recorded a decline in revenue. The main reason for this was the intense competition, says Andreas Kropp, Managing Director EOS Germany. “The German NPL market is the most established of all NPL markets we operate in as a Group. There are a lot of competitors on the market that ensure a high price level for the debt portfolios. Being connected to our own debt collection system Kollecto+ is an important step for us, allowing us to become more efficient and improve our competitiveness,” Kropp continues.

“Debt collection means taking responsibility”

For the first time, the EOS Group has published a combined annual report and sustainability report. It is based on the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and shows how EOS supports the UN’s sustainability goals.

“We have always said that debt collection means taking responsibility, so corporate responsibility has therefore long since been a major issue for us,” stresses CEO Marwin Ramcke. “We strive to become a little better every day. In this context, the GRI standards help us to make transparent how sustainable our actions are and what we are achieving in this area.” According to Andreas Kropp, this is not just a matter of traditional environmental issues. The fair treatment of defaulting consumers also plays a major role. “We want to help them become debt-free as quickly as possible. To this end we offer various services that allow people to pay anonymously at any time. In our German service portal, consumers can also set their own installment rates.”

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is a leading technology-driven investor in receivables portfolios and an expert in the processing of outstanding receivables. With around 50 years of experience and offices in 24 countries, EOS offers smart services for receivables management worldwide. Its key target sectors are banking, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and e-commerce. EOS employs more than 6,000 people and is part of Otto Group.

For more information on the EOS Group, please go to: eos-solutions.com

Contact for press and media:

Maria Pancheva

phone: 0887953336

e-mail: m.pancheva@otdoconsult.com

EOS Group reports substantial increase in earnings in fiscal 2022/23

Press Release

Hamburg, Germany, July 26, 2023

  • Significant increase in investment volume in Eastern and Western Europe
  • Even stronger focus on international collaboration and digitalization
  • Corporate Responsibility (CR): Combined Annual and Sustainability Report based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for first time
The EOS Group enjoyed strong growth in the 2022/23 financial year. Europe’s leading investor in non-performing loans, debt and real estate portfolios, and expert in the processing of outstanding receivables, achieved an EBITDA of EUR 445.9 million in fiscal 2022/23. A major factor in this success was the significant increase in investment volume of EUR 668.6 million (in the previous year) to EUR 1.2 billion, with EOS investing in both secured and unsecured receivables.

Outstanding operating performance

The expert processing of existing NPL portfolios (non-performing loans) from previous years also contributed to the increase in earnings and revenue in fiscal 2022/23. Marwin Ramcke, CEO of the EOS Group, had this to say: “Given the international political and macroeconomic situation at the beginning of the financial year, this kind of growth was not foreseeable. That we were able to achieve such a result in these turbulent times is due in particular to the dedication of our around 6,000 employees.”

The broad positioning of the EOS Group with 24 national subsidiaries in Europe has also had a positive impact on the overall result, says Justus Hecking-Veltman, CFO of the EOS Group. “Our diversification gives us enormous stability as a group of companies. We are not dependent on individual markets. Our longstanding expertise as a purchaser of NPL portfolios, but also our patience in certain markets, have paid dividends in this financial year,” says Hecking-Veltman.

Eastern Europe builds on previous year with high investment level

With a share of 42 percent, Eastern Europe is the strongest performing region within the EOS Consolidated. Compared with the previous year, the Eastern European subsidiaries were even able to increase their revenue by around 50 percent. “With an investment volume of around EUR 400 million, we were also able to build on our high figures from the year before,” says Carsten Tidow, the member of the Board responsible for Eastern Europe. This is exemplified not just by the renewed high investments in Greece, Poland and Croatia, but also by a small country like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the secured NPL portfolio business was heavily expanded.

Western Europe quadruples investment volume

At EUR 612 million, the EOS Consolidated managed to more than quadruple its investment volume in Western Europe. This is attributable above all to the markets in France and Spain, says Dr. Andreas Witzig, member of the Board with responsibility for Western Europe. In this conjunction, Portugal is also of particular note: “Although our company there was only founded in 2022, today more than 20 colleagues are active in the Portuguese NPL market and have been able to complete their first NPL purchases.” The implementation of Kollecto+, the Group’s own debt collection software, which is already in use in eight EOS countries and creates relevant synergies, also contributed to the company’s good start.

High competitive pressures in Germany

In the German market, the EOS Consolidated recorded a decline in revenue. The main reason for this was the intense competition, says Andreas Kropp, Managing Director EOS Germany. “The German NPL market is the most established of all NPL markets we operate in as a Group. There are a lot of competitors on the market that ensure a high price level for the debt portfolios. Being connected to our own debt collection system Kollecto+ is an important step for us, allowing us to become more efficient and improve our competitiveness,” Kropp continues.

“Debt collection means taking responsibility”

For the first time, the EOS Group has published a combined annual report and sustainability report. It is based on the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and shows how EOS supports the UN’s sustainability goals.

“We have always said that debt collection means taking responsibility, so corporate responsibility has therefore long since been a major issue for us,” stresses CEO Marwin Ramcke. “We strive to become a little better every day. In this context, the GRI standards help us to make transparent how sustainable our actions are and what we are achieving in this area.” According to Andreas Kropp, this is not just a matter of traditional environmental issues. The fair treatment of defaulting consumers also plays a major role. “We want to help them become debt-free as quickly as possible. To this end we offer various services that allow people to pay anonymously at any time. In our German service portal, consumers can also set their own installment rates.”

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is a leading technology-driven investor in receivables portfolios and an expert in the processing of outstanding receivables. With around 50 years of experience and offices in 24 countries, EOS offers smart services for receivables management worldwide. Its key target sectors are banking, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and e-commerce. EOS employs more than 6,000 people and is part of Otto Group.

For more information on the EOS Group, please go to: eos-solutions.com

Contact for press and media:

Maria Pancheva

phone: 0887953336

e-mail: m.pancheva@otdoconsult.com
Print

EOS Group reports substantial increase in earnings in fiscal 2022/23

Press Release

Hamburg, Germany, July 26, 2023

  • Significant increase in investment volume in Eastern and Western Europe
  • Even stronger focus on international collaboration and digitalization
  • Corporate Responsibility (CR): Combined Annual and Sustainability Report based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for first time
The EOS Group enjoyed strong growth in the 2022/23 financial year. Europe’s leading investor in non-performing loans, debt and real estate portfolios, and expert in the processing of outstanding receivables, achieved an EBITDA of EUR 445.9 million in fiscal 2022/23. A major factor in this success was the significant increase in investment volume of EUR 668.6 million (in the previous year) to EUR 1.2 billion, with EOS investing in both secured and unsecured receivables.

Outstanding operating performance

The expert processing of existing NPL portfolios (non-performing loans) from previous years also contributed to the increase in earnings and revenue in fiscal 2022/23. Marwin Ramcke, CEO of the EOS Group, had this to say: “Given the international political and macroeconomic situation at the beginning of the financial year, this kind of growth was not foreseeable. That we were able to achieve such a result in these turbulent times is due in particular to the dedication of our around 6,000 employees.”

The broad positioning of the EOS Group with 24 national subsidiaries in Europe has also had a positive impact on the overall result, says Justus Hecking-Veltman, CFO of the EOS Group. “Our diversification gives us enormous stability as a group of companies. We are not dependent on individual markets. Our longstanding expertise as a purchaser of NPL portfolios, but also our patience in certain markets, have paid dividends in this financial year,” says Hecking-Veltman.

Eastern Europe builds on previous year with high investment level

With a share of 42 percent, Eastern Europe is the strongest performing region within the EOS Consolidated. Compared with the previous year, the Eastern European subsidiaries were even able to increase their revenue by around 50 percent. “With an investment volume of around EUR 400 million, we were also able to build on our high figures from the year before,” says Carsten Tidow, the member of the Board responsible for Eastern Europe. This is exemplified not just by the renewed high investments in Greece, Poland and Croatia, but also by a small country like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the secured NPL portfolio business was heavily expanded.

Western Europe quadruples investment volume

At EUR 612 million, the EOS Consolidated managed to more than quadruple its investment volume in Western Europe. This is attributable above all to the markets in France and Spain, says Dr. Andreas Witzig, member of the Board with responsibility for Western Europe. In this conjunction, Portugal is also of particular note: “Although our company there was only founded in 2022, today more than 20 colleagues are active in the Portuguese NPL market and have been able to complete their first NPL purchases.” The implementation of Kollecto+, the Group’s own debt collection software, which is already in use in eight EOS countries and creates relevant synergies, also contributed to the company’s good start.

High competitive pressures in Germany

In the German market, the EOS Consolidated recorded a decline in revenue. The main reason for this was the intense competition, says Andreas Kropp, Managing Director EOS Germany. “The German NPL market is the most established of all NPL markets we operate in as a Group. There are a lot of competitors on the market that ensure a high price level for the debt portfolios. Being connected to our own debt collection system Kollecto+ is an important step for us, allowing us to become more efficient and improve our competitiveness,” Kropp continues.

“Debt collection means taking responsibility”

For the first time, the EOS Group has published a combined annual report and sustainability report. It is based on the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and shows how EOS supports the UN’s sustainability goals.

“We have always said that debt collection means taking responsibility, so corporate responsibility has therefore long since been a major issue for us,” stresses CEO Marwin Ramcke. “We strive to become a little better every day. In this context, the GRI standards help us to make transparent how sustainable our actions are and what we are achieving in this area.” According to Andreas Kropp, this is not just a matter of traditional environmental issues. The fair treatment of defaulting consumers also plays a major role. “We want to help them become debt-free as quickly as possible. To this end we offer various services that allow people to pay anonymously at any time. In our German service portal, consumers can also set their own installment rates.”

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is a leading technology-driven investor in receivables portfolios and an expert in the processing of outstanding receivables. With around 50 years of experience and offices in 24 countries, EOS offers smart services for receivables management worldwide. Its key target sectors are banking, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and e-commerce. EOS employs more than 6,000 people and is part of Otto Group.

For more information on the EOS Group, please go to: eos-solutions.com

Contact for press and media:

Maria Pancheva

phone: 0887953336

e-mail: m.pancheva@otdoconsult.com
Print

Sofia, 16 March 2023

  • Europeans watch their spending more closely, worried about inflationary processes
  • Compared to the last 6 months, young people are more likely to pay in cash, despite the variety of payment methods
  • Survey reports increased need for information on how young people can manage their finances properly

According to the latest consumer survey by international financial services provider EOS Group, for 53% of Europeans, rising inflation rates are leading to a closer eye on prices, with 44% saying they are increasingly taking advantage of promotional offers when shopping around. In this context, around three-quarters of respondents (73%) say they are worried about their finances, and young people (the 18 to 34 age group) are increasingly paying attention to how they plan their personal budget.

"In the survey we see that inflation is leaving its mark on consumer attitudes and this is quite normal, but it also has its positive side, as it leads to an increase in financial discipline in households," commented Raina Mitkova, Managing Director of EOS in Bulgaria. "The latest data from the European Commission is cautiously optimistic, as the year has started better than expected. We can see it in the collection levels in our business, which are normally an effective indicator of sensitive economic shocks - we are not seeing any problems with them at the moment."

Paying in cash makes managing costs easier for the young

In addition to a more responsible attitude towards personal finances, the survey also reveals changes in preferred payment methods. Although digital payments have become more popular during the pandemic, 42% of Europeans say they have used cash more often in the last six months. Interestingly, this trend also applies to the younger age group, with half of 18-34 year olds also using cash more often, alongside the traditionally wider range of payment methods typical of this age group. Over half of the younger age group stated a need to improve their financial literacy. This is well above average (43%) and exceeds the result for the over 50s generation (34%).

"The increased use of cash by young people is directly linked to their shared need to increase their financial literacy - they prefer to handle cash as it makes it easier for them to calculate their expenses," says Tihomir Valchev, Managing Director of EOS in Bulgaria.

"In school we do not learn how to manage our money, and this is just as important as subjects such as literature and mathematics and should be taught in primary school," adds Raina Mitkova, managing director of EOS in Bulgaria. "With their consumer behaviour, young people are making it clear that this problem needs to be addressed - this is one of EOS' missions that we are actively working towards."

Receivables management agencies - a personal approach to overcoming financial difficulties

As one of the leading international experts in receivables management, with branches in 25 countries, EOS works with reputable institutes to conduct market and consumer research every year. They research issues such as payment practices in individuals and businesses, payment methods, digitalization and help the company to most effectively assist its customers to find a tailored solution to reduce their debts.

"It's very important for us to be customer-centric, listen to customers and offer a personalised approach to repaying debts, with possible solutions including reaching mutual agreements on the amount of instalments and lump sum payments, as well as their preferences on when and how they would like to be contacted. This helps them personally, but it also helps the economy, where the money is returned," says Svetla Petrova, Commercial Director of EOS in Bulgaria.

About the EOS survey “Europeans in financial trouble? EOS Consumer Study” 

In partnership with Dynata, a specialist in online surveys, EOS conducted an online poll of 7,700 consumers in 13 European countries between February 3–9, 2023. The survey focused on the question of how the last six months had affected the consumption patterns and financial situation of the participants. 

About the EOS Group

EOS Group is one of the leading international providers of customised financial services and an investor in the buyout and receivables management industry. With more than 45 years of experience and companies in 25 countries, EOS offers its nearly 20,000 customers worldwide intelligent receivables management services. Mainly, the group companies partner with banks and companies in real estate, telecommunications, utilities and e-commerce. EOS has over 6,000 employees and is part of the Otto Group. More information about EOS Group can be found at: www.eos-solutions.com.

EOS Group has been present in Bulgaria since 2002 as EOS Matrix. Services offered include management and purchase of portfolios of overdue receivables (secured and unsecured) in the country and abroad, training and consulting in the field of debt collection, debt management software, legal advice. EOS Matrix is a co-founder of the Association for Debt Management in Bulgaria.

 

Contact for press and media:

Maria Pancheva,
Mobile: 0887953336
e-mail: m.pancheva@otdoconsult.com

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  • Bulgaria ranks second in Europe for business turnover recovered as a result of partnership with debt recovery specialists
  • Record high levels of regular payments in Bulgaria and Europe
The positive trend this year reaches a kind of record for regularly paid invoices (81% on average for Europe). These are the findings of the representative survey conducted by EOS "Payment Habits in Europe" 2019, conducted for the 12th consecutive year in collaboration with the independent market research institute Kantar TNS, covering 3400 companies in 17 European countries.

Bulgaria follows this positive trend - 77% of issued invoices are paid on time (compared to an average of 79% for Eastern Europe and 76% for Bulgaria in 2018), 19% are paid with a delay (compared to 20% the previous year), and 4% are written off due to the inability to collect them at all (the indicator shows no change compared to 2018).

In line with the overall European picture in 2019, Bulgarian companies report their best payment performance in the last 6 years. Despite the improvement, Bulgarian businesses are still classified in the group with poor discipline - 23% of invoices issued to business partners are paid with a delay and/or not paid at all (compared to the European average of 19%). Other countries with a similar share of irregular payments are Greece (23%), Romania (22%), and the United Kingdom (21%).

Bulgarian citizens traditionally remain more disciplined compared to businesses - 18% of their invoices are overdue (compared to the Eastern European average of 16%), while businesses in Bulgaria delay payments or do not pay at all for 25% of issued invoices (compared to the Eastern European average of 21%). Although both indicators lag behind Central European levels, payment discipline among citizens visibly improves in 2019 - their delay decreases by 1 point compared to the previous year, while for businesses, it remains the same.

The days of delay among citizens also decrease (from 15 days to 14 days for 2019), while for businesses, the trend is reversed - business clients have to wait for their money 2 days longer (from 19 to 21 days for 2019).

Consequences of uncollected receivables

Delayed payments from customers affect the financial health of companies. The main negative consequences are: reduced profits (58%), lack of liquidity (48%), and higher interest expenses (47%). The trend persists that almost every fourth company in Bulgaria feels threatened by bankruptcy due to uncollected receivables - 24% (compared to 26% in 2018), with an average level for Eastern Europe of 16%.

To compensate for the negative effects of uncollected receivables, 27% of respondents limit investments, 25% reduce employees or do not hire new ones, and almost a quarter increase the prices of their goods and services.

Business attitudes

"Bulgarians traditionally remain more optimistic than the average for Europe regarding the future," comments Raina Mitkova, manager of EOS for Bulgaria.

"It is good to be more cautious against the backdrop of global economic perspectives - the situation between the USA and China, adjusted forecasts for Germany and Italy regarding expected growth, Brexit, etc. We are already witnessing a slowdown in the growth of the European economy, and the risks are interconnected and can lead to a decline in global trade and production."

In this context, Raina Mitkova adds: "Debt collection helps maintain trust in business and contributes to the stabilization of the economy. The effect of working with debt management companies is measured by improved business liquidity and an increase in the labor market. The funds collected by specialists are returned to the economy, as businesses use them to settle their own obligations (57%), create new jobs (51%), or for various types of investments - expanding market share (43%), research and development (27%), or financial market investments (23%)."

Payment methods and digitization

The digitization of business processes in Europe is expected to develop further. Only 49% of companies indicate that they have a high or very high level of implemented technologies. Regarding debt management processes, only 17% have achieved full automation.

Europeans remain traditionalists regarding payment methods, with the most popular being bank transfer, offered by 81% of companies. Next are direct debit (69%) and advance payment (50%). Only 28% of companies offer modern digital payment methods such as online transfers through external providers (23%), mobile payments (7%), and cryptocurrencies are rarely used as a means of payment (1%).

About the EOS Group's "Payment Habits in Europe" Study

The study was conducted in early 2019 and includes 3400 companies in seventeen European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The surveyed companies are divided according to their types of clients - citizens/end consumers (B2C) and business clients (B2B). The study has been conducted for the twelfth consecutive year on behalf of the EOS Group, in collaboration with the independent market research institute Kantar TNS (www.kantar.com).

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is one of the leading international providers of individualized financial services. The group's main focus is on debt collection, debt purchasing, and business process outsourcing. With over 7,500 employees and more than 60 subsidiaries, EOS provides financial security to around 20,000 clients in over 26 countries through flexible solutions in the B2C and B2B segments. More information about the EOS Group can be found at: eos-solutions.com

In Bulgaria, the EOS Group has been present since 2002 and is currently represented by 2 subsidiaries - EOS Matrix Ltd. and EOS Services Ltd. The services offered include debt collection in Bulgaria and abroad, debt purchasing, training and consulting in the field of debt collection, debt management software, and legal consultations. EOS Matrix is a co-founder of the Association of Collection Agencies in Bulgaria.
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The debt collection companies encourage good payment habits in society.

Payment habits are improving consistently in Europe and Bulgaria. This is indicated by the data from the representative survey on "Payment Habits in Europe" conducted by EOS in 2018, for the 11th consecutive year, in collaboration with the independent market research institute Kantar TNS. The survey covers 3,400 companies in 17 European countries.

In Bulgaria, the trend is similar - 76% of issued invoices are paid within the agreed-upon period (compared to an average of 78% for Eastern Europe and 74% for Bulgaria in 2017), 20% are paid with a delay (compared to 22% the previous year), and 4% are written off due to the impossibility of collection (the indicator shows no change compared to 2017).

In line with the overall European trend of improving payment habits, Bulgarian companies reported their best payment performance in the last 5 years in 2018. Despite the improvement, Bulgarian businesses still fall into the category of poor discipline - 25% of invoices issued to business partners are paid with a delay or not paid at all, compared to the European average of 22%. Other countries with a similar share of irregular payments are the United Kingdom (25%), Greece (27%), and Romania (27%), while Slovenia (30%) ranks at the bottom of the list. Citizens are more disciplined than businesses in this regard - an average of 19% of invoices are paid with a delay or remain unpaid (compared to 18% for Eastern Europe). A positive aspect for Bulgaria is that the study notes a delay in days below the European average (for both businesses and citizens) - Bulgarian businesses receive their payments with an average delay of 18 days after the due date, compared to 20 days delay for Europe.

Consequences of uncollected debts

Delayed payments from clients affect the financial health of companies: the main negative consequences are a decrease in profits (57%), higher interest expenses (47%), and lack of liquidity (47%). In 2018, the proportion of companies fearing extremely negative results increases - 26% of firms claim to feel threatened by bankruptcy due to overdue receivables, compared to the Eastern European average of 14%.

To compensate for the negative effects of uncollected debts, 27% of respondents limit investments, 25% of companies reduce staff or do not hire new employees, and almost a quarter increase the prices of their goods and services.

Significance of debt collection in Bulgaria

Companies find a solution to problems arising from delayed and written-off receivables by partnering with specialized debt management agencies - 44% of Bulgarian businesses use the services of external experts (an increase of 2 points compared to 2017).

The results are not delayed, and Bulgaria ranks first in Eastern Europe in terms of recovered revenues through collection companies - 11.1% of the companies' turnover has been recovered thanks to external debt management service providers. In this indicator, only Germany surpasses us in the whole of Europe.

"The effect of working with collection agencies is measured by improved business liquidity," comments Rayna Mitkova, Executive Director of EOS in Bulgaria. "These funds are returned to the economy, as companies use them to settle their own obligations (58%), create new jobs (48%), or for various types of investments - expanding market share (44%), research and development activities (33%), or financial market investments (26%)."

Business attitudes

European companies, as a whole, have a more positive outlook on the future than the previous year and remain cautiously optimistic about delayed payments. In all surveyed countries, the number of companies expecting a deterioration in payment habits in the future decreases (13% for 2018 compared to 19% for 2017). Bulgarian companies traditionally remain optimistic, with 32% of them expecting significant improvement in the next 2 years (compared to the Eastern European average of 27%). At the same time, 66% of respondents indicate that debt collection companies encourage good payment habits in society.

About the EOS Group's "Payment Habits in Europe" survey

The survey was conducted in early 2018 among 3,400 companies with an annual turnover of over 5 million euros in seventeen European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The surveyed companies were divided according to the type of their clients - citizens/end consumers (B2C) and business clients (B2B). The study has been conducted for the eleventh consecutive year on behalf of the EOS Group, in collaboration with the independent market research institute Kantar TNS (www.kantar.com).

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is one of the leading international providers of individualized financial services. The main focus of the group is debt management in three main business areas: debt collection, debt purchasing, and business process outsourcing. With over 7,500 employees and more than 60 subsidiaries, EOS offers financial security to around 20,000 clients in over 26 countries through flexible solutions in the B2C and B2B segments. More information about the EOS Group can be found at: eos-solutions.com.

In Bulgaria, the EOS Group has been present since 2002 and is currently represented by 2 subsidiaries - EOS Matrix Ltd. and EOS Services Ltd. The offered services include debt collection in the country and abroad, debt purchasing, training and consultancy in the field of debt collection, debt management software, and legal consultations. EOS Matrix is a co-founder of the Association of Debt Collection Agencies in Bulgaria.
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EOS Studies - This is knowledge.

Knowing what moves the economy and society: That is our claim for the market and consumer studies of EOS. Our studies, which we produce together with renowned market research institutes, offer exciting facts about customer payment behavior, payment methods, digitalization and the benefits of data. 
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d.nedkova@eos-matrix.bg