As part of the ongoing relationship, Bank One will compensate Circuit City for each new account opened and provide special financing terms for Circuit City customers. The two companies also plan to jointly develop and introduce new features, products and services to drive additional sales at Circuit City. At Nov. 30, 2003, the private-label operation included receivables and related cash reserves of $1.8 billion and approximately 1.5 million active customers. Circuit City anticipates that the ongoing relationship with Bank One, with an initial term of seven years, will generate a pretax earnings contribution similar to the finance income the company would generate if the retailer maintained ownership of its private-label finance operation. Under the terms of the agreement, Circuit City would sell the private-label receivables to Bank One at par value. The retailer expects to incur an after-tax loss of approximately $10 million, or approximately 5 cents per share, primarily driven by transition- and transaction-related expenses. Circuit City previously estimated that it would incur an after-tax loss related to the sale of its bankcard operation announced in November. Approximately $4.2 million of that estimated loss related primarily to lease termination and was expected to be incurred in next fiscal years first quarter. Bank Ones expected use of Circuit Citys real estate would eliminate that portion of the estimated loss. Circuit Citys net cash proceeds from the sale of the private-label operation will depend upon the retailers retained interest in the receivables at the time of closing. Based upon receivable balances at Nov. 30, 2003, the after-tax net cash proceeds from the sale would be approximately $355 million. Bank One expects that the transaction, when completely integrated, will be slightly accretive to earnings in 2004. The companies expect to close the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other consents, in the second calendar quarter of 2004. At closing, Bank One expects to assume control of the portfolio and the private-label credit card operation, including all of the operating center in Atlanta and part of the center in Richmond, Va. First Annapolis Capital, Inc. is acting as advisor to Circuit City in connection with the transaction.
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