In view of the variety of business activities performed, Deutsche Post World Net is exposed to a number of opportunities and risks that go hand-in-hand with business operations and can influence our results both positively and negatively. To ensure that opportunities and risks are identified, analyzed, evaluated and managed early on, we operate a company-wide opportunity and risk management system that is integrated into our existing management and controlling processes. The close intermeshing of opportunity and risk information with this tool enables the Group to guarantee the regular exchange of information between Controlling and the management responsible using standardized processes. We aim to reinforce our culture of opportunity and risk awareness, which is firmly anchored in the company, and to promote cross-divisional communication of opportunity and risk information. This opportunity and risk control process allows us to ensure the future success of our company for the long term.

Postbank’s risk control system is in line with the banking supervision requirements of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel II) and the Minimum Requirements for Risk Management (MaRisk). Moreover, Postbank is integrated into the Group’s opportunity and risk control process.

Central risk control defines uniform processes and standards throughout the Group and ensures compliance with these. The process, which is uniform throughout the Group, has been aligned both in terms of content and timing with a range of management and financial control tools. Opportunities and risks are identified by analyzing events and developments within the company or its environment that could lead to deviations from the financial plan. Responsibility for each opportunity and risk is assigned to a member of staff who assesses these using scenario modeling and implements appropriate measures to take advantage of opportunities or manage risks. The relevant information is communicated from the divisions to Corporate Controlling and then to the Board of Management via the multi-level risk reporting system. Should new opportunities and risks arise, or individual items change significantly, they are also reported outside of the fixed reporting intervals.

The following paragraphs outline the risks which could have a material adverse effect on our net assets, financial position and results of operations. However, these are not necessarily the only risks to which the Group is exposed. Risks of which we are currently unaware or which we do not yet consider to be material could also have an adverse effect on our business activities.