Alliance Data Systems Signs Long-Term Agreement With American TV And Appliance As First Commercial Card Client

Furniture World Magazine

Alliance Data Systems Corp., a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services, announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with American TV and Appliance of Madison, Inc. to provide a comprehensive business credit card program for American TV's commercial customers. American TV is a $370 million upper mid-west consumer electronics, appliance and furniture retailer with locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan. Alliance Data has been working with American TV since 2000, providing private label credit card services for the retailer's consumer base. Under terms of this new agreement, Alliance Data will provide American TV with a full-service commercial credit card program including account acquisition and activation, receivables funding, card authorization, card issuance, statement generation, marketing services, remittance processing, and customer service functions. The card program will be targeted to American TV's commercial customers - primarily building contractors - with prime credit histories. "American TV is excited about this new commercial credit program as it will allow us to more effectively focus our resources on managing our core retail business while leveraging Alliance Data's extensive retail and credit expertise to deliver a flexible credit card offering for our commercial customers," said Steve Mixtacki, chief financial officer, American TV and Appliance. "This new card product will serve as a new vehicle for Alliance Data's future growth," said Ivan Szeftel, president, Retail Credit Services, Alliance Data Systems. "The introduction of this commercial credit card offering is part of Alliance Data's strategic vision for building upon our core private label credit product to offer an integrated suite of card services while also expanding our touch points," he said. "We are pleased to further enhance our existing relationship with American TV by adding this commercial credit card to their current credit program. Our retail heritage along with our extensive experience in delivering innovative credit and marketing programs will help American TV grow their commercial customer business, and strengthen their customer relationships." About Alliance Data Systems Based in Dallas, Alliance Data Systems is a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services. The company assists retail, petroleum, utility and financial services clients in managing the critical interactions between them and their customers. Alliance Data manages approximately 95 million consumer relationships for some of North America's most recognizable companies and operates and markets the largest coalition loyalty program in Canada. Alliance Data Systems employs approximately 7,500 associates at more than 30 locations in the United States and Canada. For more information about the company, visit its web site, www.alliancedatasystems.com . About American TV and Appliance of Madison, Inc.: Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Madison, WI, American is a leading retailer of furniture, electronics and appliances with full service, delivery and installation capabilities. The typical American store offers customers over 85,000 square feet of retail showroom. With eleven stores in four states, this fall American will expand into the St. Louis market with three new stores, and has plans to add a fourth store in the market in 2005. For more information about the company, visit its web site, www.americantv.com.