2.12 SBS has a significant number of customers to service. For example, under the terms of the contract SBS is responsible for processing general correspondence and death claims relating to NS&I products, which can involve significant resources. NS&I receives over 400,000 death claims each year, equivalent to two thirds of deaths in the UK annually. Dealing with these claims costs SBS some £11 million a year. SBS intends to continue to seek ways of cutting costs by simplifying operational processes in the business further, by reducing manual processes and by increasing opportunities for automation.