EQS-Adhoc: VZ Holding AG: VZ Group remains on its growth path

EQS Group-Ad-hoc: VZ Holding AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results VZ Holding AG: VZ Group remains on its growth path

11-Aug-2017 / 06:55 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR

Press release

_Source: VZ Holding AG / SIX: VZN / ISIN: CH0028200837_

VZ Group remains on its growth path

Zurich, 11 August 2017 - Compared to the first half-year of 2016, VZ Group increased its revenues by 12.3 percent. Operating costs rose by 12.8 percent, leaving the operating margin virtually unchanged. Net profit increased by 9.3 percent. CEO Matthias Reinhart expects that thanks to the increased number of clients, revenues and profit will continue to grow throughout the year.

Revenues + 12.3 percent and net profit + 9.3 percent VZ Group saw its revenues rise to CHF 127.8 million (+12.3 percent) during the first half of 2017 in year-on-year terms. Operating costs increased at broadly the same pace to CHF 71.1 million (+12.8 percent), resulting in an operating margin similar to that in the first half of 2016. Net profit reached CHF 44.2 million (+9.3 percent). The difference reflects the higher depreciation resulting from investment in the expansion of VZ Group's services and in their digitalisation.

*Solid balance sheet* At CHF 2.3 billion, the balance sheet total has fallen slightly since the start of the year. The decline reflects more optimistic sentiment on capital markets. This encouraged clients to invest more, thereby reducing their cash holdings reported in the balance sheet. Even after the dividend distribution in the spring, VZ Group's equity capital remains constantly high.

*Digitalisation* The launch of the group's financial portal last summer is beginning to generate positive results. In the long term, VZ expects an increasing number of clients to bundle all of their financial matters and to organise them electronically. This will give them an overview of all their investments and payment flows, their insurance policies, mortgages, taxes and their retirement provisioning. The growing range of services benefits both sides: With every service they use through this platform, clients save fees and premiums, while VZ expands its business opportunities.

*VZ Depository Bank in Germany* The newly-founded VZ Depository Bank in Germany has received the approval of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority as well as of the European Central Bank and is set to be launched. This will enable VZ Germany to begin transferring portfolio management clients from third-party banks to the in-house banking platform over the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the launch of its financial portal in Germany provides a good basis to attract new clients to the group's services.

*Outlook* «VZ Group's future growth will be driven by the steady broadening of its client base», says Matthias Reinhart, Chairman of VZ Group's Executive Board. The number of clients establishing a long-term relationship with VZ rose by around 2000 in the first six months to reach approximately 31,000. Reinhart is expecting slightly less momentum from capital markets during the second half of the year and does not exclude substantial volatility. Overall, he expects revenues and profits to continue to grow, thanks to the higher number of clients. «This should allow us to increase the dividend for the business year 2017.»

*Half-year report* The detailed half-year report as well as an investor presentation can be downloaded from the investor relations section on VZ Group's website: www.vzch.com.

*Conference call* Media representatives and analysts are invited to discuss VZ Group's results in one of today's teleconferences hosted by Matthias Reinhart (Chairman of the Executive Board) and Philipp Marti (Chief Financial Officer). For details please get in touch with Adriano Pavone or Petra Märk:

*Contacts* Adriano Pavone Head Media Communications Phone +41 44 207 25 22 Mail adriano.pavone@vzch.com

Petra Märk Head Investor Relations Phone +41 44 207 26 32 Mail petra.maerk@vzch.com

*VZ Group* VZ is an independent Swiss financial service company, and VZ Holding Ltd's shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Asset management, pension and estate planning for individuals as well as insurance and pension fund management for companies are VZ Group's core services. VZ Holding is headquartered in Zurich, and VZ has 30 branch offices throughout Switzerland and Germany. At the end of June 2017, the group counted more than 900 employees.

*Forward-looking statements* This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on such forward-looking statements. The company assumes no responsibility to up-date forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.

*Key figures*

*Income statements*(CHF '000)

_1H 2017_ _2H 2016_ _1H 2016_ Operating revenues 127'756 122'107 113'758 Operating expenses 71'086 65'658 63'002 Operating profit (EBITDA) 56'670 56'449 50'756 Net profit 1 44'164 43'700 40'424

1 Including minority interests.

*Balance sheets*(CHF '000)

_30.6.2017_ _31.12.2016_ _30.6.2016_ Total assets 2'320'945 2'434'598 2'332'821 Equity1 420'379 420'056 383'644 Net cash2 378'849 389'595 333'476

1 Including minority interests. 2 Cash & cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities, financial assets less current liabilities due to customers, long-term debts and due to banks.

*Equity key figures*

_30.6.2017_ _31.12.2016_ _30.6.2016_ Equity ratio1 18.1% 17.3% 16.5% Common equity tier 1 26.7% 27.9% 26.5% capital ratio (CET 1) Total eligible capital 26.7% 27.9% 26.5% ratio (T1 & T2)

1 Equity compared to the consolidated balance sheet total.

*Funds under management*(CHF million)

_30.6.2017_ _31.12.2016_ _30.6.2016_ Assets under Management 19'982 18'415 17'272

*Employees*

_30.6.2017_ _31.12.2016_ _30.6.2016_ Number of employees 915 892 830 Full-time equivalents 793.7 771.5 718.3

Additional features:

Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=CGDRJFVUDS [1] Document title: Press release 11.08.2017 End of ad hoc announcement Language: English Company: VZ Holding AG Beethovenstrasse 24 8002 Zurich Switzerland Phone: +41 44 207 27 27 Fax: +41 44 207 27 28 E-mail: ir@vzch.com Internet: www.vzch.com ISIN: CH0028200837 Listed: SIX Swiss Exchange

End of Announcement EQS Group News Service

600627 11-Aug-2017 CET/CEST

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   August 11, 2017 00:55 ET (04:55 GMT)- - 12 55 AM EDT 08-11-17