Thursday 3 April 2014

More money than letters: The modern postal service


You could be forgiven for thinking that the fates of the global postal services were intertwined with that of the letter. But despite the apparent death of the ancient art of letter writing, postal operators are still very much alive; in fact they are flourishing.

Using some of the insight from Timetric’s latest report, I will be examining why postal services have been able to successfully venture into the realm of finance.  

Touching the untouchables
Remote locations has been a strong
asset for opening up the market
The established networks of the postal services have acted as an efficient platform to provide financial services to isolated members of the public. Touchpoints in some of the most remote parts of their counties have meant that postal services have had unique opportunities to open up the market to previously unbanked rural populations.  

Everybody wins
They have not just touched the geographically isolated, but also the socially vulnerable. Governments are supporting and pressing their postal operator to offer basic financial services to isolated social groups to combat poverty and inequality. By providing savings accounts, insurance, pension payment services, remittances services and loans products the postal services supply vital support. Their admirable business plan is both commercially and socially rewarding.

The perfect financial partnership
The glory of this unique achievement must, however, be shared with the postal operator’s important partnership with banks. These alliances have produced major reward for all parties involved due to their combined skills and assets. For example, the UK Post Office’s decision to team up with the likes of Barclays and Halifax has delivered impressive results.
    
A trusted brand
Their long tradition of providing reliable and cost effective services has meant that postal services have had high levels of consumer confidence. The instantly recognisable quality brand has ensured that postal operators carry the invaluable asset of consumer trust in an industry currently very short of it.      

Communication’s ever increasing reliance on the internet has unquestionably diminished the post’s traditional revenue streams. Yet the postal services are reporting healthy profits, largely thanks to their financial enterprises. 



Globally, in 2011, financial services accounted for 11.7% of postal operators’ total income. Timetric’s in-depth analysis forecasts this percentage to further increase significantly. The established networks, trust and banking partnerships have made the postal services across the world important organisations for both the financial industry and society as a whole.

If you want Timetric’s market leading insight and data about the financial services of post offices around the globe, then please click here




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