Press Release

Pre-Close Trading Update


NETELLER Plc, a leading online money transfer service provider, today issued the following update. This is made prior to the Company entering its close period ahead of its preliminary results announcement for the 12 months ended 31 December 2005, scheduled for 28 March 2006.

Highlights

  • Strong fourth quarter in terms of customer receipts and new customer sign ups
  • Average daily receipts from customers in Q4 2005: US $ 4.18m, up from US $ 3.64m in Q3 2005
  • Average daily new customer sign ups for Q4 2005: 3,197, up from 3,085 in Q3 2005
  • Total customers at 31 December 2005: 2,320,670
  • Revenue for full year expected to be slightly ahead of consensus market expectations
  • Strong current trading to date in first quarter 2006
  • Appointment of Ron Martin as President and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 January 2006

Ron Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented "NETELLER has continued to show excellent growth across all areas of the business in the fourth quarter and the full year results will demonstrate the continuing strength of the Company. Since joining NETELLER, I have been impressed by the depth and experience of our management team and employees. I look forward to capitalising on the many opportunities available to us during 2006 and beyond. The Board is excited about the Company's prospects for 2006 and expects considerable progress to be made during the next 12 months."

Operational Highlights

Customer Receipts

  • Average daily receipts from customers was approximately US $ 4.18 million during Q4 2005 (Q4 2004: US $ 2.35 million) - representing an increase of 78 %.
  • Q4 average daily receipts from customers was up by 15 % on the Q3 2005 average daily receipts of US $ 3.64 million.
  • Average daily receipts from customers for the full year 2005 was US $ 3.44 million, up by 90 % on average daily receipts for 2004 of US $ 1.81 million.

Total Customers

  • As at 31 December 2005, NETELLER had 2,320,670 signed-up customers, an increase of 1,069,318 or 86 % from 1,251,031 since 31 December 2004.

New Customers

  • Average daily sign-ups of new customers was 3,197 during Q4 2005 (Q4 2004: 2,072) - representing an increase of 54 %.
  • Average daily sign-ups was 2,930 for the year to 31 December 2005 compared to 1,821 for 2004 - representing an increase of 61 %.

Current trading and outlook

The fourth quarter of 2005 has been very strong in terms of both customer receipts and new customer sign-ups. As a result, the Company expects that revenue for the full year is likely to be slightly ahead of consensus market expectations. The Board remains confident about the prospects for the Group in 2006. With the recent strengthening of the management team, and the appointment of Ron Martin as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company is well placed to take advantage of the continuing growth in its key markets. In addition, the 2006 FIFA World Cup is likely to provide additional revenue and customer acquisition opportunities. Panmure Gordon & Co Limited will cease to act as the Company's joint stockbroker with effect from 25 February 2006 with Canaccord Adams Limited acting as nominated adviser and sole stockbroker going forward. NETELLER expects to announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2005 on Tuesday 28 March 2006. 


About NEOVIA Financial Plc

Trusted by consumers and merchants in over 160 countries to move and manage billions of dollars each year, NEOVIA Financial Plc (formerly NETELLER Plc) operates the world's leading independent online payments business. Through its Payment Suite, featuring NETELLER®, NETBANX®, Net+™ and 1-PAY™ brands, NEOVIA specialises in providing innovative and instant payment services where money transfer is difficult or risky due to identity, trust, currency exchange, or distance. Being independent has allowed NEOVIA to support thousands of retailers and merchants in many geographies and across multiple industries.

Subsidiary company NETELLER (UK) Limited is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to operate as a regulated e-money issuer. For more information about NEOVIA Financial visit www.neovia.com.

NEOVIA Financial Plc recently changed its corporate identify from NETELLER Plc to better reflect the strength and breadth of its individual product brands. At the same time its ticker symbol changed from NLR to NEO.

Media and Investor Contacts

NEOVIA's media relations are managed by McEntegart Marketing. Contact them through the Media Relations Contact page. NEOVIA investor relations are managed by Citigate Dewe Rogerson. Contact them through the Investor Relations Contact page.