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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
November 29, 2001 (November 28, 2001)
LendingTree, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 000-29215 25-1795344
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(State or other jurisdiction Commission File Number (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification Number)
11115 Rushmore Drive
Charlotte NC 28277
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(704) 541-5351
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Item 5. Other Events
LendingTree Hosts "Open House" for Investors and Analysts
o Company reaffirmed current guidance for remainder of 2001 and
2002.
o Management discussed future outlook and growth projections,
reiterating five-year targets of $250 million in revenue and
earnings per share of $1.25 to $1.70.
o Other topics presented by management included lender best
practices, marketing, conversion rates, technology, and corporate
strategy.
LendingTree, Inc. conducted an open house for investors and analysts
in Charlotte, N.C. on November 27, 2001. The event gave attendees a
chance to meet and interact with the Company's management team, as
well as discuss the Company's operations and business initiatives.
LendingTree Founder and CEO Doug Lebda stated, "The theme of the day
was to discuss how LendingTree is the breakaway leader in online
lending with a proven, scalable business model that is poised for
significant growth, profitability, and shareholder value. Our strong
operating results remain on track with existing guidance for the
fourth quarter of 2001 and for 2002. LendingTree continues to expect
to achieve operating cash flow profitability during the first quarter
2002."
President and COO Tom Reddin stated, "LendingTree's mission has been
expanded to be the dominant lending exchange by empowering consumers,
lenders, and related service providers, generating more than $100
billion in closed loans by 2006. This builds on the tremendous
progress that we have achieved over the past few years, meeting or
exceeding all of our key milestones."
LendingTree's Senior Vice President and CFO Keith Hall provided future
outlook and growth projections, reiterating the Company's long term
revenue and return on sales guidance, as discussed during previous
earnings releases and conference calls.
Hall stated, "LendingTree has secured its position as the most
recognized brand in online lending. Our No. 1 brand awareness position,
continued growth of online lending, and forecasted improvements in
the transmit and close rates are the key components for us to achieve our
2006 targets. These targets include $250 million in revenue, 25 to 30
percent return on sales, EBITDA per share of $1.50 to $2.00, and
earnings per share (EPS) of $1.25 to $1.70 on a fully diluted basis.
We expect an EPS growth rate of 30 to 50 percent in 2006 and beyond."
The LendingTree management team presented various other topics,
including best practices in closing loans online, the LendingTree
brand architecture and its role in driving consumer demand, and the
current strategies being utilized to increase conversion on the
LendingTree Exchange.
Lebda concluded, "We are very pleased with the level of interest and
recognition of our lending exchange model. We feel that investors and
analysts are now truly differentiating our model from others in the
consumer finance industry."
A copy of the presentations given at the open house can be obtained by
contacting LendingTree Vice President of Finance, Brian Regan, via e-mail
at bregan@lendingtree.com or phone at (704) 944-8531
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial statements of business acquired - Not Applicable
(b) Pro forma financial information - Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits - Not Applicable
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
LENDINGTREE, INC.
Date: September 13, 2001 By: /s/ Keith B. Hall
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Keith B. Hall, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
Exhibit 99
LendingTree Extends No. 1 Brand Awareness Position in Online Lending
New Brand Awareness Study Confirms LendingTree Leads in Total Brand
Awareness Among Consumers Nationwide
o LendingTree Total Brand Awareness - 59 percent nationally, 70
percent among frequent Internet users in major metropolitan
markets.
o Decrease in Customer Acquisition Costs - 77 percent decline from
$93 to $22 since launch of brand campaign.
o Customer Satisfaction Levels in excess of 80 percent among
surveyed consumers who have closed loans through the LendingTree
Exchange.
o Total Brand Awareness numbers are more than 2.5 times the
awareness levels of direct online competitors and exceed the
nation's top retail banks included in the study.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 10, 2001 - LendingTree, Inc., the leading online
lending exchange and technology provider, today announced results of a
third-party brand tracking study conducted for LendingTree by Boston-based
Chadwick Martin Bailey, Inc. The study, which was conducted in June 2001,
measured Total Brand Awareness* both nationally and within major
metropolitan areas among adults 18-54 for brands competing within the
online lending market. The results show that the LendingTree brand enjoys
59 percent Total Brand Awareness among adults nationwide, and that Total
Brand Awareness among frequent Internet users in major metropolitan markets
is 70 percent. These numbers are more than 2.5 times the awareness levels
of direct online competitors and exceed the nation's top retail banks
included in the study.
The brand awareness study focused on online lending and is the second study
conducted for LendingTree by Chadwick Martin Bailey in the last 12 months.
The study reinforces the position of LendingTree as the most recognized
brand for consumers seeking a loan online. In addition to Total Brand
Awareness, consumers supported LendingTree with strong overall satisfaction
ratings: more than 80 percent of consumers who closed a loan obtained
through the LendingTree Exchange were very satisfied with the experience.
Said Bob Harris, LendingTree senior vice president of marketing, "The
impressive numbers from this study continue to illustrate the unique
consumer value delivered by LendingTree and that the overall brand
proposition continues to resonate with consumers. It is clear to consumers
that at LendingTree they are in control of the lending process and when
banks compete, they win by receiving multiple loan offers with competitive
rates. Additionally, the fact that the Total Brand Awareness percentage is
significantly higher than last year is a clear indication of the success of
our marketing efforts."
Said Tom Reddin, LendingTree president and chief operating officer, "The
business implications of the brand study are of great importance - our
superior brand strength and overall awareness among consumers nationwide
increases the numbers of loan requests we generate for every marketing
dollar spent. This effectively drives down the cost of each customer
acquisition, which has decreased 77 percent from $93 in (Q2 2000) to $22
(Q2 2001), increasing the positive contribution margin recognized for each
loan request received by LendingTree." Reddin continued, "As more consumers
go online to find convenience, choice, and great rates when searching for a
loan, our brand leadership position in the minds of consumers will continue
to contribute to our overall long-term revenue and profitability goals."
*includes both aided and unaided awareness
About LendingTree, Inc.
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the Internet-based loan marketplace for
consumers and lenders. LendingTree collects consumer credit requests and
compares those requests and related credit information to the underwriting
criteria of the more than 100 participating lenders in the LendingTree
marketplace. Qualified consumers may receive multiple offers in response to
a single loan request within hours and then compare, review, and accept the
loan offer that best suits their needs. Lenders can generate new business
that meets their specific underwriting criteria at reduced acquisition
costs. The LendingTree marketplace encompasses most consumer credit
categories, including mortgages, home equity loans, automobile loans,
credit cards, and personal loans. For more information, or for a full
listing of the more than 100 banks and lenders in the LendingTree
marketplace please go to www.lendingtree.com or call 704-541-5351.
About Lend-X(sm)
Lend-X(sm) is LendingTree's online loan exchange technology that enables
companies to quickly and easily embed a customized private label or
co-branded loan marketplace into their site in a variety of different
business models. Lend-X(sm) technology provides a fast, adaptable and
reliable online lending solution for lenders and non-lenders alike with
valuable access to LendingTree's online lending exchange of more than 100
banks and lenders. In conjunction with LendingTree's services, Lend-X can
be used to provide access to loans for consumers of lenders and non-lenders
alike. Lend-Xsm clients include: Freddie Mac, S1 Corporation,
priceline.com, America's MoneyLine (AML), EDS's Wendover, Home Account, MSN
Money Central, Wachovia, Fleet Bank, Citizens Bank, and Affinity Plus
Federal Credit Union.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements include statements regarding:
projected future revenues; optimism about the results of certain strategic
and consumer initiatives; product and technological implementations; and
projected expenditures and growth. These statements are based on
management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements. The
Company's actual results might differ materially from those stated or
implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties
associated with the Company's business, which include, but are not limited
to: variations in consumer demand or acceptance; the willingness of lending
institutions to offer their products over the Internet; further changes in
the Company's relationships with existing lenders, companies, and/or
strategic partners; the Company's ability to attract and integrate new
lending companies and strategic partners; implementation of competing
Internet strategies by existing and potential lending participants;
implementation and acceptance of new product or service offerings, consumer
lending industry regulation; competition in all aspects of the Company's
business; fluctuations in operating results; or other unforeseen factors.
The forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of these
and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.