GE Money & Furniture First Announce Consumer Financing Relationship

Furniture World Magazine

GE Money and Furniture First, a purchasing cooperative made up of retail furniture dealers, announced a new multi-year relationship to provide consumer financing services through the home furnishings cooperative’s independent retailer locations across the United States. The private label credit cards, issued through GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, provides homeowners extended terms and special financing promotions with no annual fee. In-store application using GE Money’s online finance management system AdvanceDesk sm provides Furniture First customers an easy, secure way to quickly finance their furniture purchases. Online account management is also available to cardholders. “Selecting GE Money’s financing program was an easy decision for Furniture First members,” said Bill Hartman, president of Furniture First. “Their experience in providing credit solutions that meet the needs of businesses and consumers alike brings added value to our retailers and their customers.” Furniture First has 167 retailer-stockholders with 346 stores in 44 states. The average member has been in business for 40 years, operates two stores and is family-owned and operated. Collectively, Furniture First possesses $1.5 billion in industry buying power, which enables its member retailers to extend substantial savings on high-quality furnishings to their customers. “Our expertise in financial services dates back more than 75 years,” said James Seger, vice president of the Home Furnishings industry for GE Money – Sales Finance. “We’re pleased to work with Furniture First to provide their customers a tool to purchase the home furnishings they want and need.” About Furniture First Furniture First is a purchasing cooperative made up of retail furniture dealers. Our members are locally-owned businesses across the United States. We work together to leverage our purchasing power with leading furniture manufacturers. Because we work together, we can bring great values in high-qualityhome furnishings to our communities. For more information, visit www.furniturefirst.coop. About GE Money With more than $200 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company, (NYSE: GE) is a leading provider of retail banking and credit services to consumers and retailers in more than 50 countries around the world. With more than 130 million global customers, GE Money, based in London, UK, offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, mortgages, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. More information can be found at www.gemoney.com. GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, based in Kettering, Ohio, provides private label credit card programs and financial services for consumers through dealers; national, regional and independent retailers; associations; contractors; manufacturers; healthcare practices and service providers in more than 20 industries including: automotive, consumer electronics and appliances, elective health care, floor covering, home design and improvement, home furnishings, jewelry, music, powersports, outdoor power equipment, sporting goods and travel. GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. GE is Imagination at Work. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.