Penn
Yellow Jacket
- Messages
- 1,554
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
Federal Intervention Pits 'Gets' vs. 'Get-Nots'
By Bob Davis and
Jon Hilsenrath
Updated June 15, 2009 11:59 p.m. ET
HAMBURG, Pa. -- Factory worker Dennis Davis recently stopped at the Cabela's store here to buy a $90 carrying case for the long-barreled Contender pistol he uses to shoot pesky groundhogs at his brother's farm. He paid with a store-issued credit card.
The U.S. government helped finance the transaction. Earlier this year, it recharged the credit-card operations of the Nebraska-based retailer of hunting and camping gear with nearly $400 million of federal financing.
Mr. Davis was surprised to hear about the government's helping hand, and hardly pleased. "Anything the federal government, or any government, sticks its nose in fails or makes things worse," he said as he made his way across the parking lot with his son.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124501974568613573
From Cabela's 10-K for FYE 12/27/08 (publicly available information):
"Overview
We are a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise. Since our founding in 1961, Cabela's has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world. We have long been recognized as the “World's Foremost Outfitter.” Through our growing number of retail stores, and our well-established direct business, we believe we offer the widest and most distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices, while providing superior customer service. We also issue the Cabela's CLUB Visa® credit card, which serves as our primary customer loyalty rewards program."
"Financial Services Business
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, World's Foremost Bank, we issue and manage the Cabela's CLUB Visa card and related customer loyalty rewards program. We believe the Cabela's CLUB Visa card loyalty rewards program is an effective vehicle for strengthening our relationships with our customers, enhancing our brand name, and increasing our merchandise revenue. The primary purpose of our Financial Services business is to provide our merchandise customers with a rewards program that will enhance revenue, profitability, and customer loyalty in our Retail and Direct businesses.
Our bank subsidiary is an FDIC-insured, special purpose, Nebraska state-chartered bank. Our bank’s charter is limited to issuing credit cards and selling brokered certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and it does not accept demand deposits or make non-credit card loans. During 2008, we had an average of 1,140,834 active credit card accounts with an average balance of $1,828 compared to an average of 987,411 active credit card accounts with an average balance of $1,712 during 2007."
By Bob Davis and
Jon Hilsenrath
Updated June 15, 2009 11:59 p.m. ET
HAMBURG, Pa. -- Factory worker Dennis Davis recently stopped at the Cabela's store here to buy a $90 carrying case for the long-barreled Contender pistol he uses to shoot pesky groundhogs at his brother's farm. He paid with a store-issued credit card.
The U.S. government helped finance the transaction. Earlier this year, it recharged the credit-card operations of the Nebraska-based retailer of hunting and camping gear with nearly $400 million of federal financing.
Mr. Davis was surprised to hear about the government's helping hand, and hardly pleased. "Anything the federal government, or any government, sticks its nose in fails or makes things worse," he said as he made his way across the parking lot with his son.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124501974568613573
From Cabela's 10-K for FYE 12/27/08 (publicly available information):
"Overview
We are a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise. Since our founding in 1961, Cabela's has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world. We have long been recognized as the “World's Foremost Outfitter.” Through our growing number of retail stores, and our well-established direct business, we believe we offer the widest and most distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices, while providing superior customer service. We also issue the Cabela's CLUB Visa® credit card, which serves as our primary customer loyalty rewards program."
"Financial Services Business
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, World's Foremost Bank, we issue and manage the Cabela's CLUB Visa card and related customer loyalty rewards program. We believe the Cabela's CLUB Visa card loyalty rewards program is an effective vehicle for strengthening our relationships with our customers, enhancing our brand name, and increasing our merchandise revenue. The primary purpose of our Financial Services business is to provide our merchandise customers with a rewards program that will enhance revenue, profitability, and customer loyalty in our Retail and Direct businesses.
Our bank subsidiary is an FDIC-insured, special purpose, Nebraska state-chartered bank. Our bank’s charter is limited to issuing credit cards and selling brokered certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and it does not accept demand deposits or make non-credit card loans. During 2008, we had an average of 1,140,834 active credit card accounts with an average balance of $1,828 compared to an average of 987,411 active credit card accounts with an average balance of $1,712 during 2007."