riddler part 127 Nov 2009 12:32
in FT Unlikely survivor of the IVA revolution streaks ahead By David Blackwell
Published: November 27 2009 02:00 | Last updated: November 27 2009 02:00
The roll call of companies specialising in consumer debt problems three years ago was lengthy.
A whole sector sprang into life on Aim specialising in individual voluntary arrangements. The instruments seemed tailor-made for the overstretched consumer, allowing the payment of an agreed proportion of his or her total debt, usually over five years.
Investors were delighted in the early days, in many cases quickly doubling their money. But most of the creditor banks disagreed with the view of Sir Fred Goodwin, then head of Royal Bank of Scotland, who said IVAs - if used properly - could work to everyone's advantage.
A tougher stance by the banks sent the sector into a tailspin in early 2007. The industry seemed anxious to distance itself from the past. Debt Free Direct changed its name to Fairpoint, which is still the market leader, albeit much smaller. It returned to the black two months ago.
Debtmatters sold its IVA business in March last year and changed its name to Loanmakers, which appointed administrators early this year. Debts.co.uk changed its name to Relax, and its shares - trading above 200p in 2006 - were suspended at 11p on October 6, pending clarification of its financial position.