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easyhome Ltd. Reports 2011 Fourth Quarter Results and Announces Dividend Reinvestment Plan

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Record Revenues and Improved Earnings in the 4th Quarter

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 5, 2012) - easyhome Ltd. (TSX:EH), Canada's largest merchandise leasing Company and a growing provider of financial services, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

easyhome delivered record revenues and improved earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011. Revenue for the quarter increased 9.4% to $49.3 million, driven primarily by the expansion of the easyfinancial Services business and the related growth of its consumer loans receivable portfolio. Net income for the quarter was $2.6 million compared to a loss of $(0.4) million in the fourth quarter of 2010. When normalized for the costs associated with the investigation of an employee fraud in 2010, the net improvement for the quarter was 97%. Earnings for the quarter were 22 cents compared with a loss of 3 cents in the fourth quarter of 2010 or 13 cents for the fourth quarter of 2010 if the costs associated with the investigation of an employee fraud are excluded.

Commenting on the results, David Ingram, easyhome's President and Chief Executive Officer stated "We are pleased to report record revenues for both the quarter and the full fiscal year. The increase in earnings reflects a return to more normal levels after making investments in infrastructure and advertising and promotional activities in prior quarters. Additionally, we are pleased with the continuing growth of easyfinancial Services. During the quarter, the consumer loans receivable portfolio grew by $4.9 million to finish the year at $47.6 million and easyfinancial's operating margin for the quarter improved to over 30%. We are confident that all of our business units are well positioned for future growth and earnings improvements."

Fourth Quarter Results

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, easyhome generated revenues of $49.3 million, an increase from $45.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. At the store level, including easyfinancial, same store revenue growth for the quarter was 9.3% compared with growth of 10.9% for the fourth quarter of 2010.

On a segmented basis, easyfinancial Services revenues increased to $7.8 million from $3.7 million for the same period last year. The improvement is a result of the increase in the consumer loans receivable portfolio from $23.8 million to $47.6 million. The Company's leasing operations recorded revenues of $41.0 million and franchising operations recorded revenues of $0.5 million, both relatively unchanged from the same period last year.

Operating income, which is income before interest expense and income taxes, increased 124% to $4.2 million from $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, after normalizing the fourth quarter of 2010 for the costs associated with the investigation of an employee fraud. Quarterly revenue increases and improved margins at both our leasing business and easyfinancial more than offset a greater level of corporate costs to support sustainable growth. As a percentage of revenue, operating income was 8.5% compared to 4.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010 (normalized).

Net income increased to $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a loss of $(0.4) million for the fourth quarter of 2010. On a per share basis, earnings were $0.22 compared with a loss of $(0.03). Adjusted for the costs associated with the investigation of an employee fraud in the prior year, earnings were $1.3 million, or $0.13 per share, a year ago.

Fiscal 2011 Results

For the full year, easyhome generated revenues of $188.3 million, an increase of 8.1% compared with $174.2 million in fiscal 2010. easyfinancial Services generated revenues of $24.5 million compared with $10.8 million in fiscal 2010. The Company's leasing operations contributed $162.5 million to total revenues, relatively unchanged from the same period last year and franchising operations contributed $1.4 million, up from $1.1 million in fiscal 2010.

Operating income for the year was $15.3 million compared with $9.7 million for the same period last year. Adjusted to exclude non-recurring charges associated with an employee fraud, its investigation, restructuring and other charges, operating income for fiscal 2010 was $13.7 million. On a normalized basis, operating income improved $1.6 million or 11.6%. Reported net income was $9.7 million, or $0.81 per share, compared with $6.1 million, or $0.58 per share a year earlier, an increase of 58%. On a per share basis and excluding these non-recurring items for the prior year, diluted earnings per share was $0.81 compared with $0.84 a year ago.

The Company continues to generate strong cash flows. Cash flow provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $39.9 million. Included in these cash flows was a net investment in the easyfinancial Services consumer loans receivable portfolio of $29.4 million. If this net investment in the loan portfolio was treated as cash flow from investing activities, cash flow from operating activities would be $69.2 million. This cash flow enabled the Company to invest in the portfolios to drive future revenue growth of all business units, strengthen the management and infrastructure to support sustainable growth and maintain its total dividend payments for the quarter.

Outlook

David Ingram commented, "We believe that consumers in both Canada and the U.S. will remain cautious until the general economic conditions improve. As a result, growth within our leasing and franchising businesses will continue to be modest and the number of new store openings in 2012 will be low. However, these same economic conditions will have a lesser impact on easyfinancial Services and so we intend to leverage the recent improvements that were made to both our internal processes and infrastructure and drive for further portfolio and revenue growth and margin enhancement."

We have updated our targets for 2012. In 2012, we anticipate opening 1-2 new corporate stores plus 4-7 new franchise stores that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes and an additional 5-10 new franchise stores. easyfinancial Services will see the greatest growth as we anticipate opening 15-20 new easyfinancial locations and most of these will likely be stand-alone locations. Based on these assumptions, we are targeting total revenue growth of approximately 10%. The achievement of these targets by the Company are predicated on a number of factors, including the availability of sufficient capital. In this regard, we expect to secure additional debt financing to fund the growth of our business units over the next few months.

Donald K. Johnson, Chairman of the Board, commented, "The Board is pleased with the overall performance of the Company during 2011. Both revenues and net income have shown continued growth and the Company's management has taken the necessary steps to support the Company's strategy for sustainable growth."

The Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.085 per share payable on April 16, 2012 to the holders of common shares of record as at the close of business on April 5, 2012.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

easyhome also announced that it has adopted a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "DRIP"). Eligible shareholders may elect to participate in the DRIP commencing with the dividends to be paid on April 16, 2012 to shareholders on record as of April 5, 2012.

The DRIP allows eligible shareholders of easyhome to reinvest their cash dividends into additional Common Shares of easyhome, which will be issued from treasury at the Average Market Price (as defined in the DRIP) on the applicable dividend payment date.

"Our dividend reinvestment plan is designed to benefit our shareholders and our Company over the long term,' said David Ingram. "Through participation, shareholders will be able to increase their equity stake without transactions fees - allowing them to further participate in the growth of easyhome. The Company will have access to additional cash that it can deploy to grow its business units.

The full text of the DRIP and an enrollment form are available on the Company's website at www.easyhome.ca. Shareholders should carefully read the complete text of the DRIP before making any decisions regarding their participation in the DRIP. Beneficial shareholders who hold their shares through a nominee and who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their nominee to enquire about enrollment. easyhome has a well-established track record of quarterly dividend payments. To reinvest the April 16th dividend, Equity Transfer Services Inc. must receive the signed enrollment form by no later than 3:00pm EST on March 29th, 2012.

About easyhome

As at December 31, 2011, easyhome Ltd. had 261 stores, including 48 franchised/licensed locations. The Company also operated 85 easyfinancial kiosks within existing easyhome stores, two stand-alone easyfinancial locations and one national loan office.

easyhome Ltd. is Canada's largest merchandise leasing Company and the third largest in North America, offering top quality, brand-name household furnishings, appliances and home electronic products to consumers under weekly or monthly leasing agreements through both corporate and franchise stores. In addition, the Company offers a variety of financial services, including loans, prepaid cards and cheque cashing through its easyfinancial services business. easyhome Ltd. is listed on the TSX under the symbol 'EH'. For more information, visit www.easyhome.ca.

The above analysis refers to certain financial measures that are not determined in accordance with international financial reporting standards ("IFRS"). These measures do not have standardized meanings and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Although measures such as operating income and same store revenue growth do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, these measures are defined in our management discussion and analysis which is available on SEDAR or on the Company's website at www.easyhome.ca or can be determined by reference to our financial statements. We discuss these measures because we believe that they facilitate the understanding of the results of our operations and financial position.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements about easyhome Ltd. including its business operations, strategy and expected financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes' or negative versions thereof and similar expressions. In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future financial performance (including revenue, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects about future events is also a forward-looking statement. Forward- looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations and business prospects and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations, economic factors and the industry generally. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us, due to, but not limited to important factors such as our ability to enter into new lease and/or financing agreements, collect on existing lease and/or financing agreements, open new locations on favourable terms, secure new franchised locations, purchase products which appeal to our customers at a competitive rate, cope with changes in legislation, raise capital under favourable terms, manage the impact of litigation, control costs at all levels of the organization and maintain and enhance our system of internal controls. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which may not be appropriate for other purposes. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

	As at December 31, 2011		As at December 31, 2010		As at January 1, 2010
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash	1,019		731		291
Amounts receivable	5,893		4,809		5,284
Income taxes recoverable	600		-		2,987
Consumer loans receivable	32,619		18,162		7,421
Prepaid expenses	1,316		1,296		1,146
Total current assets	41,447		24,998		17,129
Amounts receivable	1,365		1,062		-
Consumer loans receivable	12,319		3,667		1,520
Lease assets	66,996		67,692		70,343
Property and equipment	12,612		12,953		12,335
Deferred tax assets	2,933		8,298		8,385
Intangible assets	4,126		3,093		3,155
Goodwill	17,325		17,325		17,325
TOTAL ASSETS	159,123		139,088		130,192
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Bank revolving credit facility	33,123		15,649		23,764
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	19,504		19,322		13,331
Income taxes payable	-		65		-
Dividends payable	1,007		892		884
Deferred lease inducements	598		578		579
Unearned revenue	4,562		5,310		4,818
Term loan	-		2,602		3,636
Provisions	24		421		597
Total current liabilities	58,818		44,839		47,609
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	727		450		-
Deferred lease inducements	1,959		1,881		1,724
Term loan	-		-		2,484
Provisions	77		407		231
Total liabilities	61,581		47,577		52,048
Shareholders' equity
Share capital	60,207		60,074		48,880
Contributed surplus	3,171		3,061		3,142
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(52	)	(257	)	-
Retained earnings	34,216		28,633		26,122
Total shareholders' equity	97,542		91,511		78,144
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	159,123		139,088		130,192

easyhome Ltd.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except earnings per share)

			Three months ended				Years ended
		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
		2011		2010		2011		2010
REVENUE
Lease revenue		39,874		40,121		159,072		159,646
Interest income		5,038		2,655		15,719		6,603
Other		4,380		2,283		13,534		7,935
		49,292		45,059		188,325		174,184
EXPENSES BEFORE DEPRECIATION & AMORTIZATION
Salaries and benefits		15,952		14,034		61,081		53,629
Advertising and promotion		1,615		1,880		6,829		5,562
Bad debts		2,046		1,020		6,289		3,984
Occupancy		6,511		6,799		25,330		25,095
Distribution and travel		1,987		2,397		7,919		7,132
Other		3,652		3,115		14,144		11,834
Restructuring and other items		-		2,428		-		3,069
		31,763		31,673		121,592		110,305
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation of lease assets		12,090		12,358		47,465		48,596
Depreciation of property and equipment		968		1,115		3,506		3,961
Amortization of intangible assets		37		135		434		380
Impairment, net		234		332		61		1,232
		13,329		13,940		51,466		54,169
Operating income		4,200		(554	)	15,267		9,710
Interest expense		485		385		1,541		1,238
Income before income taxes		3,715		(939	)	13,726		8,472
Income tax expense (recovery)
	Current	(1,410	)	645		(1,248	)	2,105
	Deferred	2,509		(1,218	)	5,362		295
		1,099		(573	)	4,114		2,400
Net income		2,616		(366	)	9,612		6,072
Basic earnings per share		0.22		(0.03	)	0.81		0.58
Diluted earnings per share		0.22		(0.03	)	0.81		0.58

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