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Our branch network remains the key element of our customer service approach. New branches were opened in 2006 – in various locations such as Zell am Ziller and in Vienna at the Lainz Hospital. We now serve our customers through over 350 branches in Austria. In order to underline the strong presence of our network, we also offer customers attractive services via our co-operation with sales partners and through complementary sales channels.
Mobile sales channels
In 2006, some 400,000 customers used our wide range of services via mobile sales channels including TelefonB@nking and OnlineB@nking services via our website www.ba-ca.com. Providing information, advice, purchase facilities, transaction services and communication, the Internet is a channel for dialogue between customers and BA-CA – an essential component of a comprehensive range of services. In our e-shop we offer customers an innovative product mix including loan products (Online-PrivatKredit), savings products (Online-ErfolgsCard) and EUR fixed deposits. Online services are independent of time and location. The expansion of the decentralised sales force at HVB Direkt enables the bank to actively support account managers in the course of specific sales campaigns.
Card business
The number of cards issued through Bank Austria Creditanstalt continued to increase despite intense competition in Austria. In 2006 the total number of payment cards exceeded two million for the first time. Customers use such cards for a steadily growing number of transactions.