On February 2002, collection services of two Latvian leading commercial banks - Hansabanka and Unibanka- are taken over by joint stock company Group 4 Falck Latvia. Thus a completely new and independent business industry is born in Latvia: collection and money processing. Along with outsourcing of collection services to joint stock company Group 4 Fack Latvia professionalism and economic efficiency will increase, thus resulting in benefit to all Latvian companies who have used collection services provided by Hansabanka and Unibanka so far.

A take-over process of collection industry from JSC Hansabanka and JSC Unibanka has been successfully completed: starting with February 2002, collection and money processing services are ensured to the banks and customers of the banks by joint stock company Group 4 Falck Latvia. The fact that banks have entrusted servicing of their money to an outsourcing company shows the trust and belief in Group 4 Falck Latvia as a provider of qualitative and secure services.

The take-over of collection industry was a business purchase transaction. Negotiations held between Group 4 Falck and banks lasted for more than a year: they were commenced in November 2000 and were closed in January 2002 when business purchase agreements were signed. Along with this transaction a completely new, independent business industry was born in Latvia: collection and money processing. The Bank of Latvia issues licences on delivery of collection services and only banks were allowed to deliver such services until October 2001. Now Group 4 Falck Latvia is the first private company, non-bank institution, which offers for customers and banks services of collection and money processing.
With experience in this field and trained professional employees, who come from both of the banks, Group 4 Falck Latvia has set a level, which should be achieved and possibly also exceeded by the next competitor to make Bank of Latvia to issue a permission to deliver collection services and to make banks to entrust servicing of their money.

"Hansabanka and Unibanka are severe rivals on the daily business field in the banking business, however, banks made this transaction thus demonstrating a highly recognisable unity and mutual co-operation. I would like to express my gratitude for successful course of transaction to Mr. Ugis Zemturis, Deputy Chairman of JSC Hansabanka, Mr. Zigurds Jeramanovs, former Vice-president of Unibanka , now President of Krajbanka," says Mr. Valdis Purvinskis, Chairman of the Board of Group 4 Falck Latvia.

Mr. Ugis Zemturis, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC Hansabanka::" I believe that Hansabanka has achieved a successful solution in its agreement with Group 4 Falck Latvia, a security and safety company, on transfer of collection service. Goal of Hansabanka is primarily to deliver financial services and consultations to its customers and collection service from the point of its origin is not a core banking service. In order to ensure a maximum development of collection service and economic efficiency, Hansabanka has made a decision to transfer collection service to an outsourcing company - Group4Falck Latvia. Upon implementation of this agreement customers of Hansabanka will also in the future receive a full and qualitative range of collection services, moreover, additional substantial advantage will be gained, i.e. economic efficiency of this service. I also would like to emphasise that Hansabanka for collection purposes in its branches and cash dispensers will use services delivered by Group4Falck Latvia which shows our trust in this company and our belief in quality level of its delivered services."

Mr. Ainars Ozols, Vice-President of JSC Latvijas Unibanka: " This transaction is characterised by wish of our bank to ensure for our customers a qualitative service along with technically complete solution. As we are experts in the field of banking services, in delivery of specific services, we cannot compete with experienced professionals. By handing-over of collection service to Group4Falck Latvia customer will enjoy a service of higher quality also in the service sector, which traditionally is not a field of banking business. Customers will also benefit in the fact that bank will have now more opportunities to concentrate especially on delivery of financial services to its customers through direct delivery of our experience, competence and required resources."

Group 4 Falck is the second largest security company having its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and having its presence in more than 50 countries worldwide. Turnover of the concern exceeds LVL 1.3bn, it employs more than 125.000 people, and its shares are listed on Copenhagen Stock Exchange. The company has its presence in the Baltic States through Fack Baltics, a company registered in Estonia. The concern has its presence in Latvia through joint stock companies Falck Apsargs and Group 4 Falck Latvia, (founded on 6 June 2001 with the registered statutory capital of LVL 200 000), they deliver security, collection services and other services related to safety. Turnover of the concern in Latvia exceeds LVL 4.5M and it employs more than 900 employees.