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WestLB posts loss of €1.6 billion on subprime mess

The German regional state bank WestLB posted on Wednesday a 2007 net loss of €1.6 billion ($2.5 billion) as a result of the US subprime lending crisis and stock trading losses.

Published: 2 April 2008 16:26 CEST

A month ago WestLB said it expected a net loss of about €1 billion, following a gain of €799 million in 2006.

“WestLB has seen one of the most difficult situations in its history,” said boss Alexander Stuhlmann, who was named to the post in mid 2007 as the bank fell into crisis, and who plans to step down in early May.

The regional bank was one of Germany’s primary casualties of the collapse of the US market for high risk, or subprime, mortgages, which threw international financial markets into a prolonged period of turbulence. But WestLB also suffered major losses on fraudulent trading by some staff of shares in Volkswagen, BMW and the German retailer Metro.

On Monday, the German state of of North-Rhine Westphalia said it would back a €5-billion rescue package for the regional bank, in which it holds a direct or indirect stake of around 38 percent. Regional state-owned savings banks hold more than 50 percent of the shares in WestLB.

The bank also plans to eliminate 1,350 jobs by 2010 as part of a plan to turn the business around and possibly prepare it for a sale or merger. The figure represents almost one quarter of its workforce.

Stuhlmann told media that WestLB “had stabilized itself on its own,” adding “we will of course play an active role in the consolidation of regional banks” that many expect to follow the financial crisis.

But he declined to comment specifically, in particular concerning a possible interest in another subprime-hit bank, the troubled business lender IKB.

Twint app can be installed on a mobile phone.

“Twinting” money with a smartphone is easy and convenient. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

In Switzerland, the word “Twint” is used both as a noun and a verb.

As a noun, it describes the mobile application which allows you to pay for various goods and services practically everywhere in the country.

As a verb, (“to twint”), it means to send someone money, or receive it, via the same app.

So what exactly is Twint?

Simply put, it is digital cash (not to be confused with bitcoin, which is digital currency) that was first introduced in Switzerland in 2014 and has become very popular since then.

Twint logo. Image by Twint.ch

People like it because it is an easy and quick way to make instantaneous payments, especially in situations when credit cards or physical cash can’t be used.

A big part of its convenience is that it can be used at cash registers, vending machines and parking meters, as well as in online shops — pretty much everywhere in Switzerland, even in places that don’t accept credit cards.

The only similar mode of payment would be your maestro debit card issued by your bank.

This video explains exactly how the process works.

Another advantage of Twint is that you can use it to send money to someone else’s mobile phone — as long as they also have Twint. And you can receive money the same way.

And there are no fees or charges for this service.

How does Twint work?

Anyone can use Twint, but you need a Swiss bank account or a credit card and, of course, a smartphone.

According to Twint website, you need a smartphone with either an iOS (from version 12.2 and upwards) or Android (from version 7 and upwards) operating system and Bluetooth capability (from version 4.0 and upwards).

“It is generally not possible for Twint to be used on Apple devices with an operating system older than “iOS 12.2” or on Android devices with an operating system older than “Android 7”. On Android devices without access to the Google Play Store (e.g. on certain HUAWEI models), the use of Twint app is also not possible”.

But If you have a compatible phone, installing Twint is easy.

Swiss banks offer their own version of the app, and you can download it directly from your bank’s website.

Then, when you use Twint to make a payment, the amount is debited directly from your bank account or credit card.

By the same token, if you receive payment from another Twint user, the money is automatically deposited in your account.

And you are not limited to just one Twint app.

If you have accounts is several banks, or have more than one credit card, you can install and use all of them.

READ MORE: How to open a bank account in Switzerland

Can Twint be used to make payments and receive money from abroad?

For the moment, Twint can be used solely in Switzerland and payments can be made only in Swiss francs – although this may change in future.

“We are, however, working closely with providers in other countries to develop an international and multi-currency solution”, according to Twint website.

You can find more information about Twint here.

READ MORE: Which bank is best for Americans in Switzerland?

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