Public relations work

For the LLB Group, communication is a central management function that contributes significantly to the realisation of the corporate strategy and the attainment of corporate objectives. It is integrated in the strategic processes and operational management as well as in the decision-making processes. The LLB Group can use communicative means to systematically manage the reputation of the company, services/products and also the management as well as to meet the expectations of the various stakeholder groups. The stakeholder groups are in particular:

• Clients: Their needs are uppermost at every point of contact. Our client advisers record the needs and the satisfaction of private and corporate clients. We address them in a targeted way through our client service as well as more broadly through our marketing communication and our websites.
• Principality of Liechtenstein: The Principality of Liechtenstein is our majority shareholder. We are therefore obliged to inform the Government regularly about our business performance, (see section “Public affairs” and chapter “Corporate governance”).
• Shareholders: In addition to the annual General Meeting of Shareholders, we exchange views with our shareholders at investor presentations and in regular meetings with the Liechtenstein Government as the representative of the majority shareholder, the Principality of Liechtenstein (see section “Investor relations” and chapter “Corporate governance”).
• The public: All our branding and communication measures are high-profile. A key trust-building element in this regard is an intensive exchange with media representatives (see sections “Public relations” and “Media relations”).
• Partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Through our membership of associations and organisations, we maintain a dialogue with partners and NGOs (see chapters “Regulatory framework and developments”, “Institutional Clients”, and “Responsibilities for society and the environment”).
• Employees: We reach our employees over our intranet, which is continuously updated with the latest information and offers, and through our staff magazine. There are also various events for employees where they have the opportunity to personally meet and discuss with members of the Group Executive Board (see chapter “Employees”).

Public relations

We come into contact with the wider public through various channels. With regular market commentaries and reports in local print media, we prove our expertise in financial matters. As the organiser or sponsor of various events, we strengthen contacts with the local people. At the LIHGA, Liechtenstein’s regional trade fair, we offer join-in activities and giveaways to existing and potential new clients (see chapter “Responsibilities for society and the environment”). In 2018, we launched the prestigious LLB SME Award.

We also reach a wider section of the population through our social media channels: via Facebook and Twitter, we engage with all stakeholder groups. We strengthen our employer profile using the XING and LinkedIn networks.

Investor relations

The LLB Group aims to provide an up-to-date picture of the opportunities and risks relating to its business activities by engaging in an open and ongoing dialogue with investors, analysts and representatives of the media. As a publicly listed company, we are obliged to publish share-price relevant information, including ad hoc information about events that may affect the share price, by means of media communiqués to all stakeholders. We inform shareholders, clients, employees and the public simultaneously, comprehensively and regularly about our business performance, value drivers as well as the implementation of our strategy and provide them with an overview of our key financial and operating figures. The aim is to ensure that the price of the LLB share represents the fair value of the company (see chapter “The LLB share”).

Media relations

Irrespective of the ad hoc information and the annual media and analyst conference, we maintain a dialogue with the regional media and business journalists in our market regions. We make every effort to answer their questions in a transparent and timely manner. Once a year, we invite regional media representatives to lunch in Liechtenstein where we inform them about ongoing projects and new developments. In 2018, exponents of LLB gave numerous interviews and answered various enquiries. LLB was the subject of almost 1'000 media articles. The focus was on the acquisitions and integration steps of LLB Swiss Investment in Zurich and LLB Österreich in Vienna, as well as various awards received by LLB. Media relations for LLB Österreich were strengthened as part of the integration. For Bank Linth, which is also listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, besides ad hoc communication, the main focus was on the ongoing refurbishments, the opening of branch offices as well as the positioning of the brand.

Public affairs

LLB is in regular contact with opinion leaders and selected representatives from the world of politics and economics. Because only by constantly seeking dialogue with different decision makers, are we able to voice our opinion and be heard. We are a member, too, of the key industry associations and organisations such as the Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bankers Association (see chapter “Institutional Clients”). We also exchange views with the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA) on a regular basis.

LLB is obliged to report to its majority shareholder, the Principality of Liechtenstein. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LLB Group and the Group CEO meet the Head of the Government of Liechtenstein twice a year to report on the course of business. Once a year, the Board of Directors and the Group Executive Board exchange views with the entire Government (see chapter “Corporate governance”).