Alliance Data Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of data-driven marketing, loyalty and payment solutions, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

"Alliance Data's third quarter performance demonstrates considerable operating progress.  Net income improved year-over-year and pre-tax pre-provision earnings increased substantially both year-over-year and sequentially, in line with strong credit sales and reduced expense levels," said Ralph Andretta, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Data.  "At the same time, we continued to move forward with the transformation of our company and are demonstrating how the investments we have made and continue to make drive our future growth."

"Credit sales remained strong in the third quarter as we saw improving performance across our brand partners, which more than offset a previously announced portfolio sale in the third quarter.    We saw positive momentum building in the LoyaltyOne segment as campaign activity picked up late in the quarter for BrandLoyalty, and AIR MILES^® reward miles redeemed improved to the highest level since the pandemic began.

"Our net loss rate was particularly low in the third quarter, and our delinquency rate remained below historic levels.  We expect credit metrics and payment rates to continue to moderate into 2022 as stimulus programs wind down. We continue to monitor uncertainties in the market and remain confident that our full suite of product offerings, combined with our disciplined risk management, will enable us to drive responsible, profitable growth in the periods ahead.

"The upcoming spinoff of our LoyaltyOne segment concludes a multi-year Board initiative to simplify Alliance Data's business model and strengthen our enterprise-level capital metrics. At the spin-off date, which is expected to be November 5, 2021, Alliance Data will retain a 19% ownership in, and expects to receive a $750 million cash distribution from Loyalty Ventures Inc., which we will use for deleveraging.  The spin is expected to provide a significant improvement in Alliance Data's capital metrics.  Loyalty Ventures will have the opportunity to focus on its own unique strategic priorities and make meaningful investments to drive growth and efficiencies.  We are excited about the prospects for both businesses and the long-term potential of each of the companies."

Mr. Andretta continued, "Our recently announced strategic relationship with Sezzle provides another way to capitalize on the versatility of Bread's fintech payments platform to open new opportunities for expansion outside of our direct distribution network.  Sezzle's over 40,000 merchants will be able to leverage our digital offerings to provide their consumers with additional flexible installment payment solutions for big ticket purchases.  We will continue to expand Bread's direct merchant partners while enlisting existing Alliance Data retail card partners to launch on Bread's platform.  The business development pipelines across our offerings remain robust, and our focus on portfolio optimization will continue to drive profitability and growth into 2022 and beyond.

2021 FULL-YEAR OUTLOOK

"For full-year 2021, we expect our credit sales to increase at a double-digit growth rate providing positive receivables growth momentum into 2022.  Based on our current visibility and payment rate expectations, receivables at year-end 2021 are projected to be in line with year-end 2020 levels.  We expect to resume high-single- to low-double-digit average receivables growth in 2022," said Mr. Andretta.  "Given the continued strength of our credit metrics, we now expect a net loss rate in the high 4% range for the year.  Total revenue for the year is anticipated to be down low-single-digits compared to 2020 driven by lower receivables.  As a result of lower expenses in the third quarter, partially driven by improved credit and collections efficiencies, we now expect total expenses, excluding provision for loan loss, to be flat to modestly down year-over-year while we continue to fund initiatives to position the Company for future growth.  In 2021, we are investing over $100 million in digital innovation and technology enhancements and plan to continue to invest in 2022."

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Third Quarter: Consolidated revenue increased 5% to $1,099 million compared to the third quarter of 2020, resulting from the ongoing consumer recovery from pandemic lows.  PPNR increased $68 million, or 18%, as a result of the increase in revenue and lower interest expense in the quarter.  EBT increased 65% to $291 million, impacted by a lower provision for loan loss during the third quarter of 2021 versus prior year.  Net income was $224 million, or $4.47 per diluted share.

SEGMENT RESULTS

Card Services: Revenue increased 7% to $930 million compared to the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to the negative impact from the pandemic on gross revenue yields in the third quarter of 2020.  EBT increased $102 million to $314 million compared to the third quarter of 2020, attributable to the improvement in revenue, lower interest expense, and a lower provision for loan loss.  The net principal loss rate was 3.9% in the third quarter of 2021, an improvement of 190 basis points from the prior year period, while the delinquency rate of 3.8% improved 90 basis points from the prior year period.

Credit sales increased 20% to $7.4 billion compared to the third quarter of 2020, as consumer spending recovers.

LoyaltyOne: Segment revenue declined 8% to $169 million compared to the third quarter of 2020.  BrandLoyalty revenue decreased 18%, or $21 million, due to a decline in retailer programs associated with the continuing impact of COVID-19.  AIR MILES revenue increased 9%, or $6 million, compared to the third quarter of 2020, due in part to higher redemptions, as well as the impact of favorable currency exchange rates.  EBT for the LoyaltyOne segment increased 143% to $45 million due to lower cost of redemptions and amortization expense.

Issuance of AIR MILES reward miles decreased 7% compared to the third quarter of 2020, reflecting certain promotional activity in the prior year not present in the current year. AIR MILES reward miles redeemed increased 30% compared to the third quarter of 2020, reflecting an improvement in travel-related categories.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "likely," "may," "should" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding, and the guidance we give with respect to, our anticipated operating or financial results, initiation or completion of strategic initiatives including the proposed spinoff of our LoyaltyOne segment, future dividend declarations, and future economic conditions, including, but not limited to, fluctuation in currency exchange rates, market conditions and COVID-19 impacts related to relief measures for impacted borrowers and depositors, labor shortages due to quarantine, reduction in demand from clients, supply chain disruption for our reward suppliers and disruptions in the airline or travel industries.

We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, factors set forth in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.

Financial Measures

In addition to the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company may present financial measures that are non-GAAP measures, such as pre-tax pre-provision earnings.  Pre-tax pre-provision earnings is calculated by adding the provision for loan loss to income before taxes.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, viewed in addition to and not in lieu of the Company's reported GAAP results, provide useful information to investors regarding the Company's performance and overall results of operations.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reconciliations to comparable GAAP financial measures are available in the accompanying schedules, which are posted as part of this earnings release in both the News and Investors sections on the Company's website (www.AllianceData.com). The events necessitating a non-GAAP adjustment are inherently unpredictable and may have a material impact on the Company's future results.

The financial measures presented are consistent with the Company's historical financial reporting practices. The non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and are not identical to corresponding measures used in other various agreements or public filings.

Conference Call

Alliance Data will host a conference call on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the Company's third quarter 2021 results. The conference call will be available via the Internet at www.alliancedata.com. There will be several slides accompanying the webcast. Please go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary software. The recorded webcast will also be available on the Company's website.

If you are unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available. To access the replay, please dial (866) 813-9403 or (929) 458-6194 and enter "859154". The replay will be available at approximately 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

About Alliance Data

Alliance Data^® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of data-driven marketing, loyalty and payment solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions that measurably change consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its partners create and increase customer loyalty across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Alliance Data is an S&P MidCap 400 company that consists of businesses that together employ approximately 8,000 associates at more than 45 locations worldwide.

Alliance Data's Card Services business is a comprehensive provider of market-leading private label, co-brand, general purpose and business credit card programs, digital payments, including Bread^® and Comenity-branded financial services. LoyaltyOne^® owns and operates the AIR MILES^® Reward Program, Canada's most recognized loyalty program, and Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers. More information about Alliance Data can be found at www.AllianceData.com.

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SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation