Regulatory Update

RNS Number : 8773U

Amigo Holdings PLC

27 November 2019

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 November 2019

Amigo Holdings PLC ("Amigo" or the "Company")

Regulatory Update

Amigo announces that it has received the outcome of the FCA's Guarantor Understanding Multi Firm Work (the "Review").

The aim of the Review was for the FCA to understand better the role of the guarantor.  The feedback received from the FCA has not raised concerns with the guarantor loan product itself nor made comments about the underlying business model at Amigo.

The Review focused on the information made available to potential guarantors and how sufficient this is to ensure potential guarantors reach an informed decision ahead of becoming a guarantor.

As expected, the Review identified areas where our customer journey could be enhanced, including increasing the explanation of key information provided to potential guarantors and increasing disclosure on the likelihood that guarantors could be called to make payments.

Amigo has sought to stay ahead of regulation and is reassured that a number of the action points raised in the Review are already in the process of being changed. We will prioritise efforts to adopt the relevant operational changes as soon as reasonably possible.

Amigo believes implementing these enhancements will not fundamentally alter the attractiveness of the guarantor loan product relative to higher cost alternatives for our borrowers, nor will it deter willing guarantors from supporting deserving friends and family to allow them to be financially included.

Hamish Paton, CEO of Amigo, said:

"We are grateful for the significant amount of time and effort that the FCA has committed to the Review and we take on board all of the improvements they have identified. These will be good for customers and other stakeholders, and further reinforce our strategy of doing the right thing for all our borrowers and guarantors."

Additional Information

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this announcement or otherwise.

This announcement constitutes notice by Amigo Luxembourg S.A. (the "Issuer") to the holders of the Issuer's 7.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (for the notes issued pursuant to Rule 144A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, ISIN: XS1533928468 and Common Code: 153392846; for the notes issued pursuant to Regulation S of the United States Securities Act of 1933, ISIN: XS1533928625 and Common Code: 153392862) (the "Notes") issued pursuant to pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(3) of an indenture dated January 20, 2017 among, inter alia, the Issuer, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank Trustees Limited, as trustee and security agent.  Amigo Holdings PLC is the indirect parent company of the Issuer. This announcement shall constitute a "Report" to holders of the Notes.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014.

The person responsible for this announcement is Roger Bennett, Company Secretary.

-ENDS

Contacts:

Hawthorn Advisors   [e-mail]

Lorna Cobbett             Tel: [phone]

Victoria Ainsworth

Amigo Holdings PLC  [e-mail]             

Kate Patrick                 Head of Investor Relations    

Roger Bennett             Company Secretary                            

Notes to Editors:

About Amigo Loans

Amigo Holdings PLC ("Amigo" or the "Company") is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: AMGO). Amigo is a leading provider of guarantor loans in the UK and offers access to mid-cost credit to those who are unable to borrow from traditional lenders due to their credit histories.

The guarantor loan concept introduces a second individual to the lending relationship, typically a family member or friend with a stronger credit profile than the borrower. This individual acts as guarantor, undertaking to make loan payments if the borrower does not.

Amigo was founded in 2005 and has grown to become the UK's largest provider of guarantor loans in the UK. In the process, Amigo's guarantor loan product has allowed borrowers to rebuild their credit scores and improve their ability to access credit from mainstream financial service providers in the future.

Amigo is a mid-cost credit provider with one simple and transparent product - a guarantor loan at an APR of 49.9%, with no fees, early redemption penalties or any other charges.

Amigo Loans Ltd and Amigo Management Services Ltd are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

 

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