Worldline - 2019 Universal Registration Document

RISK ANALYSIS Mitigation measures

Mitigation measures F.3

F.3.1

Other risks

Coronavirus pandemic F.3.1.1 Pandemic is one of the risk traditionnaly addressed by the Group Business Continuity Plan. This plan, which was activated as early as February 2020, resulted in a ramp up of the Group's remote working rate as the crisis developted, and in the full compliance with the local regulatory requirements. These measures meet both priority objectives of protecting the health of the Group's employees and ensuring a continuous delivery of the Group's services. In addition, Worldline's sales force remainted in constant dialogue with its customers and in particular supported retailers for their need for click & collect capacity upgrades, offered support to merchants to quickly set up their online business, promoted contacless payments as well as mobile POS systems. Strong actions to adapt the cost base to COVID-19 consequences were also taken, and among others: A freeze on new hirings was put in place; ● Salaray increase were postponed; ● Holidays & other measures policy were implemented; ● Key supplier contracts were adapted; ● Project reviews were conducted, and ● All discretionary expenses, including travel costs, were ● stopped. The monitoring of merchant risks was also reinforced. In that respect, new members joined Worldline's high quality risk management teams and new tools were implemented. Lastly, Worldline has been cooperating with its partners (banks and payments brands) in numerous countries throughout Europe (Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, etc.) to facilitate and implement higher contactless payment authorization limits, in light of the World Health Organization recommendations for fostering ePayments and limit the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus through bills and coins.

includes notably an in-depth review of contracts at risk in all countries in order to assess properly the fair value of contracts and implement corrective actions when needed.

Regulatory and Legal Risks F.3.1.3

[extra-financial risks – Ethics & value chain challenges]

The Group has created internal rules, processes and policies that aim to ensure compliance with national and international laws and regulations, in support of the Code of Ethics principles relating to business integrity. They are continuously reviewed to ensure adherence to laws and regulations, as well as relevance and usefulness in guiding the behaviors of its employees and key stakeholders. For details of those ethics and compliance policies, please refer to Section D.4.1 “Ethical excellence within Worldline”. Clients [extra-financial risks – F.3.1.4 business challenges] In order to attract new clients and decrease the concentration of clients in some geographic areas and business lines, the Group is exploiting the market evolution and promotes the diversity of its portfolio. The Group also increases efforts to leverage its relationship with the Atos group having a broader range of clients. For details refer to Section D.2.1 “Meet customer expectations”. Suppliers [extra-financial risks – F.3.1.5 Ethics & value chain challenges] Risks associated to vendors are jointly managed by the Procurement department and the Business Lines. The Procurement function is responsible for managing the cost base and for managing the commercial relationship with the vendors including their identification and selection, input into customer bids, contract negotiation and signature, cost savings actions and innovation ideas. The Business Lines are responsible for defining the specification of goods and/or services required and for managing the operational delivery to the right quality, cost and delivery indices.

F

Mergers & Acquisition risk F.3.1.2

In the context of regular and significant acquisitions such as the acquisition of SIX Payment Services on November 30, 2018, the Group rolls out an integration program closely monitored by general management through a weekly “Integration Committee”. This program is built around dedicated streams to ensure complete and adequate integrations and aimed at improving the global efficiency. It

341 Universal Registration Document 2019