CPPGroup Partners Barclaycard Stop Sales To Complete Review Of Channel
11 April 2011 - 5:03PM
Dow Jones News
CPPGroup PLC (CPP.LN), an international Life Assistance
business, said Monday that one of the Group's business partners,
Barclaycard, has decided to stop sales in the call to confirm
channel operated by the Group whilst it completes a review of this
channel.
MAIN FACTS:
-On March 28, CPPGroup announced that it is in discussions with
the FSA in relation to certain issues surrounding the sale of the
Group's Card Protection and Identity Protection products in the
U.K..
-In the call to confirm channel, which is similar to the card
activation channel, CPP products (both Card Protection and Identity
Protection) are offered to Barclaycard customers who call in to
confirm receipt of their newly issued credit card.
-The Group will continue to offer Card Protection to Barclaycard
customers who currently hold the Identity Protection product and
who call the Group's customer service department. Barclaycard will
also continue to offer Identity Protection and Card Protection to
its customers in all their existing channels.
-Sales to Barclaycard customers in the call to confirm channel
are currently less than 2% of Group revenue.
-The impact on underlying operating profit in 2011 and 2012 will
be immaterial although reduced sales in 2011 and 2012 will have an
adverse impact on the profitability beyond 2012 as the renewals
revenues (upon which CPP pays a smaller commission to its Business
Partners) will also be lower.
-CPP remains actively engaged with its business partners and is
working with them to respond appropriately to the current
situation, and any product sales as have been suspended by business
partners other than Barclaycard have to date been at levels which
are not material to the Group.
-Whilst the Group believes that new business volume uncertainty
may remain whilst the FSA investigations progress, the Board
continues to believe in the ongoing relevance and consumer appeal
of its products and services.
-The Group continues to work with the FSA in relation to its
ongoing investigation.
-At this stage the Group cannot provide any further information
on the likely outcome of those discussions, nor on the potential
consequences on the operations and/or financial position of the
Group.
-CPPGroup shares closed Friday at 150 pence, or valuing the
company at GBP257.12 million.
-By Razak Musah Baba, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9275;
razak.baba@dowjones.com