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The Markets
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The Markets
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Financial Services

Provident Financial rallies on reassuring update

Vanquis Bank's profits are ahead of plan and collections good in the home credit business

Embattled lender Provident Financial PLC (LON:PFG) rallied as it reported trading in all three of its key divisions had improved.

Provident last year issued a string of profit warnings and faced two regulatory investigations, but today's update sent its shares rising almost 9% to 700p.

READ: Provident Financial shares drop as JP Morgan cuts target price and earnings forecasts

Vanquis Bank's profits were ahead of plan, collections were good in the home credit business while Moneybarn has seen strong volumes, though bad debts were above expectations.

Provident raised £300mln net through a rights issue in February to meet losses, fines and provisions across the business and as a result its capital position and liquidity are both strong, it said in its trading statement.

Major shareholders Woodford Investment Management and Invesco backed the funding, which was priced at 315p.

Malcolm Le May, Provident's chief executive, said as well as an improved operational and financial performance, it was making good progress in strengthening the group's governance framework and the relationship with its regulators.

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