November 15, 2005

IOS becomes market leader after acquisition in German
insurance sector

Outsourcing services provider continues aggressive expansion, becoming market leader in forms processing and one of the top three financial services outsourcing providers.

Frankfurt am Main & Hamburg, Germany - International Outsourcing Services-IOS, one of the world's largest financial services outsourcing providers, announces the completion of its third German acquisition. With the acquisition of leading business process outsourcing (BPO) specialist Dorothea Halle GmbH, Hamburg, IOS is now market leader in forms processing and has become one of the top three providers of financial services outsourcing in Germany.

IOS plans to continue its aggressive expansion, which may include additional acquisitions in the financial services sector in the near future. IOS has approximately 550 customers that include leading financial services providers such as Diba, Bank of America, AXA, Quelle-Bank, Banque de France, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole.

"Instead of opting for mega-acquisitions, we deliberately target industry specialists that offer top-quality service and a strong customer base," explained Rainer Lechner, managing director of IOS Germany. "In the past, IOS has primarily focused on banks. This latest acquisition provides us with a presence in the insurance market." The acquisition's strategic importance, he stressed, lies in the fact that Dorothea Halle GmbH processes white mail, a service very close to the core business of insurance companies.

IOS came into the business spotlight in 2004 when it acquired PMC and LDC, two of Germany's leading specialist financial services outsourcing providers. It continues to generate strong growth both in Germany and worldwide. Its worldwide workforce has more than 6,000 employees. More than 300 of these employees work in Germany, and this number is expected to rise further. It recently created 60 new jobs on top of the existing 120 at its site in Thuringia, eastern Germany.

Further information: International Outsourcing Services-IOS - GmbH, Rudolf-Braas-Strasse 20, 63150 Heusenstamm, Germany; tel. +49 (0)6104 9341-0, fax +49 (0)6104 9341-126, e-mail merdsiek@iosnet.com, Web site iosnet.com

Press agency: Team Andreas Dripke GmbH, tel. +49 (0)611 973 150, e-mail team@dripke.de