Aimia comments on interchange announcements
MONTREAL, Nov. 4, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ – Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM) is
encouraged by today’s announcements that Visa and MasterCard have taken
steps to address the concerns of the Government of Canada regarding
credit card acceptance costs. In particular, the proposals to reduce
interchange rates voluntarily by approximately 10 per cent, as stated
by the Minister of Finance, to an average effective rate of 1.50 per
cent for the next five years, provide a balanced response to merchant
concerns while protecting consumer interests.
We are pleased with the timing of this development, as it will begin to
address the uncertainty that has surrounded this issue for some time
and we hope now for a rapid confirmation of how it will be implemented
by all concerned in a fair and equitable manner.
We remain confident that all parties will put consumers first when
determining how to implement these changes and that the retailer
community-at-large will pass any savings on to consumers.
We will be working with our key financial partners to develop the
optimal outcome and thus understand and communicate the implications
for our Aeroplan Members and our business. For Aimia and our Aeroplan
program, our focus is on preserving our market leading value
proposition and the rewards that are so valued by our more than five
million active members in Canada and which are such an important part
of their everyday lives.
Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements are included in this news release. These
forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and
phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”,
“intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and
“should” and similar terms and phrases, including references to
assumptions. Such statements may involve but are not limited to
comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations
or future actions.
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions
and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts,
predictions or forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to,
among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties
of the business and its corporate structure. Results indicated in
forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results
for a number of reasons, including the factors identified throughout
Aimia’s public disclosure records on file with the Canadian securities
regulatory authorities.
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Aimia’s
expectations as of November 4, 2014, and are subject to change after
such date. However, Aimia disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under
applicable securities regulations.
About Aimia
Aimia Inc. (“Aimia”) is a global leader in loyalty management. Employing
more than 4,300 people in 20 countries worldwide, Aimia offers clients,
partners and members proven expertise in launching and managing
coalition loyalty programs, delivering proprietary loyalty services,
creating value through loyalty analytics and driving innovation in the
emerging digital, mobile and social communications spaces.
Aimia owns and operates Aeroplan, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty
program, Nectar, the United Kingdom’s largest coalition loyalty
program, Nectar Italia, Italy’s largest coalition loyalty program and
Smart Button, a leading provider of SaaS loyalty solutions. In
addition, Aimia owns stakes in Air Miles Middle East, Travel Club,
Spain’s largest coalition loyalty program, Club Premier, Mexico’s
leading coalition loyalty program, China Rewards, the first coalition
loyalty program in China that enables members to earn and redeem a
common currency, Think Big, the owner and operator of BIG – AirAsia
and Tune Group’s loyalty program, Brazil’s Prismah Fidelidade and i2c,
a joint venture with Sainsbury’s offering insight and data analytics
services in the UK to retailers and suppliers. Aimia also holds
minority positions in Cardlytics, a US-based private company operating
in card-linked marketing and Fractal Analytics, a provider of advanced
analytics. Aimia is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: AIM).
For more information, visit us at www.aimia.com.
SOURCE AIMIA
Contact:
Media
JoAnne Hayes
416-352-3706
joanne.hayes@aimia.com
Analysts
Angela McMonagle
647-428-5280
angela.mcmonagle@aimia.com