Published: September 29, 2005
CompuCredit to Acquire CardWorks
CompuCredit Corporation (NASDAQ: CCRT)
announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire
CardWorks, Inc. Based in Woodbury, New York, CardWorks is a privately held
issuer and third-party servicer of consumer credit cards. The acquisition
is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
CardWorks is the parent company of two wholly owned subsidiaries, Merrick
Bank and Cardholder Management Services ("CMS"). Merrick Bank is a premier
issuer of credit cards with approximately $700 million in assets and
serving approximately 785,000 cardholders. CMS delivers customized bankcard
servicing to prime and non-prime card issuers, including customer service
and collection solutions.
"This acquisition is an extraordinary opportunity for CompuCredit and our
shareholders," explained David G. Hanna, Chairman and CEO of CompuCredit.
"CardWorks brings with it an outstanding and well-respected management
team, along with a variety of new products and business lines that will
generate substantial shareholder value and deliver immediate revenues and
earnings for us upon our expected completion of the transaction late in the
fourth quarter of this year or early next year."
Donald M. Berman, Chairman and CEO of CardWorks added, "This acquisition is
a perfect match for both CompuCredit and ourselves. We consider both
CompuCredit and ourselves to be world-class providers of credit card and
MasterCard®/VISA® card-related products, and together we will be a
premier third-party servicer for the credit card markets. CompuCredit's
additional resources and expertise also will help to facilitate growth
throughout CardWorks' businesses."
About CardWorks
CardWorks, Inc. is the parent company of Merrick Bank and Cardholder
Management Services ("CMS"). Merrick Bank was founded in 1997 and is a
top-50 issuer of MasterCard® and Visa® cards. It serves approximately
785,000 cardholders and has approximately $700 million in assets. Merrick
Bank is a Utah Industrial Bank and is a member of the FDIC. CMS is a
leading third-party bankcard servicer that provides financial institutions
and non-traditional card issuers in the U.S. and Canada with a full range
of servicing and support solutions. CMS provides services for banks,
financial guarantors and credit card issuers that enable them to
economically pursue their own goals and objectives while meeting all
service requirements. The services CMS provides are transparent to
cardholders, with specifications driven by each individual organization's
needs.
About CompuCredit
CompuCredit is a specialty finance company and marketer of branded credit
cards and related financial services. CompuCredit provides these services
to consumers who are underserved by traditional financial institutions.
Credit cards marketed by CompuCredit generally are issued by Columbus Bank
and Trust Company under an agreement with CompuCredit. Through corporate
and affinity contributions focused on the underserved and un-banked
communities, CompuCredit also uses its financial resources and volunteer
efforts to address the numerous challenges affecting its customers. For
more information about CompuCredit, visit www.CompuCredit.com.
CompuCredit's expected timeframe for completing the CardWorks acquisition
and its growth and other expectations with respect to the economic impact
of the acquisition are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond CompuCredit's control. Actual results may differ
materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Among
the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the factors set
forth in "Item 1. Business -- Risk Factors" of CompuCredit's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, changes in the general
economy and otherwise that might make credit card receivables, including
those of Merrick Bank, more difficult to collect and therefore less
profitable, the timing of regulatory approval for the acquisition and
CompuCredit's ability to successfully integrate and grow CardWorks' various
business lines. CompuCredit expressly disclaims any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.
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