Tag Archives: WARREN

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Assurance Wireless Provides Cell Phones and Wireless Service to Aid Missouri Residents Facing Econom

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Assurance Wireless Provides Cell Phones and Wireless Service to Aid Missouri Residents Facing Economic Hardship

As it becomes available in its 40th state, Assurance Wireless can help more than 900,000 1 eligible Missouri residents stay connected

WARREN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today Assurance Wireless introduces services in Missouri, where it provides a wireless phone and 250 free voice minutes and 250 free text messages to eligible residents. Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline Assistance program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund and offers the best value in calling plans among major Lifeline Assistance programs.2

More than 195,0003 Missouri residents are without a job, and more than 234 percent are living below the federal poverty line. Assurance Wireless gives eligible customers the ability to provide a contact number and return calls to a prospective employer, which can help improve the chances of securing employment.

According to a nationwide survey from Assurance Wireless5, adults with an income of less than $25,000 are as likely to use their mobile phone for employment searches as those with higher incomes. Data collected by Austin Nichols, a senior researcher with the Chronicle for Higher Educations Urban Institute, showed that the rate of graduates with doctoral degrees who have filed for government assistance more than tripled between 2007 and 20106.

“As Assurance Wireless has been approved to offer service in more states, we are proud to help more and more customers stay connected to potential employers, medical and childcare providers,” said Grace Boehm, director of strategy and business planning, Assurance Wireless. “We look forward to providing this same type of assistance to eligible Missouri residents who need support and resources during what continue to be rough economic times for many.”

“I was unemployed for an extended amount of time due to layoffs,” stated Evan M., 38, an Assurance Wireless customer. “The phone and service I received from Assurance Wireless were invaluable to my finding new employment and to my efforts to recover from this recession. It allowed me to contact potential employers and provide a way for them to respond to me, while also saving money. Assurance also gave me peace of mind that I had a way to stay connected to my kids while away from home.”

The Lifeline Assistance program is available for only one wireline or wireless account per household. Enrollment in this government benefit program is available to consumers who meet federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. Missouri residents may qualify for Assurance Wireless if …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results

Earnings per fully diluted share for the full year 2012 of $0.35; strong quarter of investment in purchased receivables

WARREN, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: AACC), a leading purchaser and collector of charged-off consumer debt, today reported results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

In a separate press release, the Company also announced today that it had entered into an agreement in which Encore Capital Group, Inc. will acquire Asset Acceptance for $6.50 per share for a total equity value of approximately $200 million.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights

Cash collections for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased 4.3% compared to the same period of the prior year, to $85.7 million.

Fourth quarter revenues were $51.7 million, a decrease of 8.3% from the prior year period. The Company reported net impairments on purchased receivables of $0.9 million, which decreased revenues for the quarter, versus net impairment reversals of $2.6 million in the prior year period.

Rion Needs, President and CEO of Asset Acceptance Capital Corp, commented: “During the fourth quarter we continued to focus on our key initiatives, specifically, growing legal channel collections as well as identifying and implementing initiatives to improve our cost structure and productivity. Mr. Needs continued, “We continued to show progress in key performance metrics and have ambitious goals to further improve efficiency. While industry dynamics remained challenging, particularly the supply and pricing of charged-off receivables, we believe we remain well positioned to reach our operational and profitability goals in 2013 and beyond.”

Operating expenses were $46.8 million, an increase of $1.6 million compared to the prior year period. Results reflected a continued strategic investment in the Company’s legal channel and an increase in the related up-front costs ahead of associated collections. Legal investments increased to $9.4 million during the quarter compared to $7.2 million in the prior year period. Operating expenses also included restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2011 of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The restructuring charges were related to actions taken to close the Tempe, AZ and San Antonio, TX collection offices. Cost to collect for the quarter was 54.7%, an improvement of …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Assurance Wireless Launches Service to Provide Cell Phones and Wireless Service to San Francisco Res

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Assurance Wireless Launches Service to Provide Cell Phones and Wireless Service to San Francisco Residents Facing Economic Hardship

Assurance Wireless can help approximately 50,000 1 eligible San Francisco residents stay connected

WARREN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today Assurance Wireless, a Lifeline Assistance program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund, launches service in the San Francisco metro area to begin providing its wireless phone services in California.

Assurance Wireless provides a free wireless phone and service which includes 250 voice minutes and 250 text messages each month to eligible residents. More than 170,0002 San Francisco metro area residents are without a job, and more than 27 percent are living below the federal poverty line3. Assurance Wireless gives eligible customers the ability to provide a contact number and to return calls to prospective employers, which can help improve the chances of securing employment.

Applying for Assurance Wireless in California is easy:

  • First, interested residents must request a phone from Assurance Wireless. They can call (toll free) 800-395-2171 or visit assurancewireless.com to obtain a Service Request Form.
  • Once that form has been submitted with the necessary paperwork and approved, applicants will receive a free Assurance Wireless phone [usually within 7-10 days]. The phone comes with 250 free voice minutes and 250 free text messages available for 30 days while they wait for federal Lifeline Assistance approval. If applicants find they need more, the regular rate is 10 cents per voice minute or text (sent or received).
  • After customers activate their phone, they will receive an official Application Form for the federal Lifeline Assistance program from the state of California. They will need to return that form within 45 days along with proof of eligibility for the federal Lifeline program.

“Assurance Wireless is delighted to begin offering services in San Francisco,” said Grace Boehm, director of strategy and business planning, Assurance Wireless. “We are proud to help more and more customers stay connected to potential employers and services as well as their medical and childcare providers.”

“Having Lifeline wireless services available at no cost will be transformative for homeless and low-income people,” said Bevan Dufty, head of Housing Opportunity, Partnerships & Engagement for the city and county of San Francisco. “I expect San Francisco to be a model for launching …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance