Step one: build or purchase a business platform in key areas of growth. Step two: manage the business to win share, increase revenue and increase profits.

Case in point: Latin America. In 1999, we acquired Procomp, a leading provider of self-service solutions based in Brazil. In 2000, we won two contracts that under-score the opportunities we face in that, and other, parts of the world. The first was the largest in our history: $106 mil-lion to provide nearly 190,000 terminals, as well as related software and service, that facilitate electronic voting by Brazil's 100 million voters. The second was in Argentina, where we've contracted to provide 600 self-service terminals that make it easier for citizens there to pay taxes.

Case in point: Europe. The self-service business we acquired there enhances our share of market revenue (to 14 percent), our presence (from 300 to 1,300 employees) and our opportunities. In the region, there are more than 200,000 branches - compared to 95,000 in the United States - serving populations roughly the same size. Industry consolidation is likely to drive increased reliance on ATMs among banks. In addition, ATM growth outside of branches is expected to triple by 2004.

Our acquisitions over the past two years extend our financial self-service leadership position in the United States (where we continue to rank first) to Latin America (where we are also first), to the Asia-Pacific region (where we rank second, excluding Japan) and to Europe (where we're currently third).