Provident reports strong sales at Vanquis Bank

Analysts have pencilled in 2011 pre-tax profits of £159.5m.

The Bradford-based company said outperforming sales and margins at its Vanquis Bank operation had offset slightly slower sales at the doorstep lending operation.

The doorstep lending business focused on good quality, existing customers and maintained tight lending criteria during the peak fourth quarter in the run-up to Christmas.

As a result, customer numbers were down two per cent on the previous year as the group targeted customers with a proven track record rather than take any risks.

Provident said customers are behaving cautiously due to the persistent pressure on household disposable incomes from rises in food and utility prices. The company said collections performance remained strong through the final quarter of the year, underpinned by the quality of the receivables book and the improvements made to the agents’ commission scheme in April.

As a result impairment levels continued to track below the prior year.

Provident said its Vanquis Bank operation continued to generate strong growth and margins throughout the fourth quarter.

Underwriting criteria stayed the same and delinquency levels have remained stable at record lows for the business.

As a result, the risk-adjusted margin of approximately 35 per cent achieved through the first nine months of the year was maintained. Customer numbers ended the year at 691,000, a 27 per cent increase on last year.

Average receivables growth for the year was 35 per cent.

Provident said that both businesses enter 2012 with good quality receivables books.

Commenting on the final quarter of the year, Provident’s chief executive Peter Crook said: “I am pleased to report that the group had a good finish to 2011 and expects to report results in line with market expectations.

“The retail deposits programme at Vanquis Bank is now fully established and, most importantly, the credit quality of both businesses is strong as we enter 2012.”