COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data
Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS) a leading global provider of
data-driven marketing, loyalty and payment solutions, today
released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Performance Report. The report showcases progress the Company made
against three-year sustainability goals set in 2017, and key
findings from its second stakeholder perception survey, or
materiality assessment, which will guide the next phase of Alliance
Data's evolving ESG strategy.
"Alliance Data continues to take a principled approach to
operating as a responsible global organization, and delivering
value to our key stakeholders, including shareholders, associates,
customers and our communities," said Ralph
Andretta, president and chief executive officer, Alliance
Data. "I am proud of the progress we made in 2020, and that we
remain focused on the priorities that drive long-term success for
our business and stakeholders alike. As we define the next
generation of Alliance Data's ESG strategy, I am confident it will
further fuel our transformation momentum and progress against our
business goals."
The 2020 ESG report details the Company's actions and impact
across areas of critical significance during the three-year period
from 2017 to 2020. Key highlights include:
- Sustainability Governance: Quarterly updates to the Company's
Board of Directors, driving a high-level of engagement and
oversight
- Fair & Responsible Banking: Technology upgrades to the
Company's underwriting process, which reduces bias and creates
parity; top marks for excellence in customer service, earning
BenchmarkPortal's "Center of Excellence" certification
15-consecutive times (more than any other company in the financial
services industry)
- Secure & Responsible Use of Data: No data breaches; ongoing
investments in training, safeguarding data and technology
- Human Capital: Reduced voluntary turnover by three percent,
increased investment in training dollars per associate by 35
percent, established DE&I strategic framework
- Community Investment: Contributed over $30 million, including nearly $7 million in "Data for Good" initiatives;
associates volunteered over 76,000 hours
- Environment: Facility upgrades, including energy efficient
lighting, LEED certifications and electric vehicle charging
stations, along with investments in global conservation initiatives
that contributed to a reduction in the Company's carbon
footprint
"We see our ESG strategy as an enabler of our business
transformation, ensuring that we mitigate risk and remain
competitive in a dynamic marketplace," said Dana Beckman, head of sustainability, Alliance
Data. "While last year brought about much change and uncertainty,
we've seen our associates rise to the challenge, helping to drive
positive impact for our business and the customers and communities
we serve."
Alliance Data's ESG strategy will continue to center around the
Company's ongoing transformation, which prioritizes delivering
stakeholder value, modernizing technology, advancing a diverse and
inclusive culture and maintaining a commitment to ethical decision
making. These priorities are rooted in the Company's responsible
business practices and sound corporate governance.
Alliance Data conducts an annual evaluation and assessment of
evolving ESG standards, which led to the adoption of Sustainability
Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards in last year's report.
The Company first reported against Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) standards in 2016.
To learn more about the Company's sustainability strategy and
progress, please view the full 2020 ESG Performance Report.
About Alliance Data
Alliance
Data ® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of
data-driven marketing, loyalty and payment solutions serving large,
consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys
customized solutions that measurably change consumer behavior while
driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most
recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its partners create and
increase customer loyalty across multiple touch points using
traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio,
Alliance Data is an S&P MidCap 400 company that consists of
businesses that together employ approximately 8,000 associates at
more than 45 locations worldwide.
Alliance Data's Card Services business is a comprehensive
provider of market-leading private label, co-brand, general purpose
and business credit card programs, digital payments,
including Bread®, and Comenity-branded financial
services. LoyaltyOne® owns and operates
the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada's most recognized loyalty program, and
Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a
global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.
More information about Alliance Data can be found at
www.AllianceData.com.
Follow Alliance Data on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,
Instagram and YouTube.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or
forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the
use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"intend," "project," "plan," "likely," "may," "should" or other
words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that
describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans,
intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. Examples
of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements we make regarding, and the guidance we give with respect
to, our anticipated operating or financial results, initiation or
completion of strategic initiatives including the proposed spinoff
of our LoyaltyOne segment, future dividend declarations, and future
economic conditions, including, but not limited to, fluctuation in
currency exchange rates, market conditions and COVID-19 impacts
related to relief measures for impacted borrowers and depositors,
labor shortages due to quarantine, reduction in demand from
clients, supply chain disruption for our reward suppliers and
disruptions in the airline or travel industries.
We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or
other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can
be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
factors set forth in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be
updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Our
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we
undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law,
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or
unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.
Contacts:
Alliance Data
Brian Vereb – Investor Relations
614-528-4516
brian.vereb@alliancedata.com
Shelley Whiddon – Media
214-494-3811
shelley.whiddon@alliancedata.com
Rachel Stultz – Media
614-729-4890
rachel.stultz@alliancedata.com
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliance-data-releases-2020-esg-performance-report-provides-update-on-three-year-sustainability-goals-301314989.html
SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation