UK Collection Agency Looking at Possible Sale or IPO

Published on:
8 February 2007 at 04:56 a.m. ET

Written by: Unknown Author –

http://www.insidearm.com/news/00007420-uk-collection-agency-looking-at-possible-/

Things are up in the air for the moment for UK-based debt collector Equidebt. The company could be sold or “floated” – i.e., offered publicly.

The option to sell or float comes from a surge in consumer debt levels in the UK. Average debt levels have risen 140 percent of income – twice the level it reached back in the ‘80s.

Equidebt stands to do well either way. Increased consumer debt means more opportunity for profits; however, selling the company in this climate also has some pretty lucrative benefits, too.

Investment bank NM Rothschild has been appointed to consider strategic options for Equidebt. The move could result in a £120m-£150m float or sale of the business (US$234.9 million — $293.7 million).