History

First established in 1967, we have been at the forefront of the information business for many decades. Issues such as privacy, data security, fraud and business intelligence are part of our commercial landscape.

Highlights

2008         

Veda Advantage has led a determined campaign to modernise Australia's credit reporting laws and allow for comprehensive credit reports. Veda's campaign for comprehensive reporting was vindicated in August 2008, with the Australian Law Reform Commission recommending five new data sets be added to credit reports - including account repayment history.

2007

In January, the Board of Directors announced to the Australian Stock Exchange that they had received an indicative proposal from a private equity consortium comprising Pacific Equity Partners and Merrill Lynch Private Equity Partners (the Consortium) about a potential privatisation of the company.

Veda Advantage was officially launched on Feb 26 2007.

Following the launch, Veda Board of Directors and the Consortium announced to the ASX and NZX a special purpose company established by the Consortium called VA Australia Finance Pty Limited (VA Finance).

Veda Advantage became fully privatised on July 9. At the Extraordinary General meeting in June, shareholders voted by an overwhelming majority (99.11% in favour, 0.89% against) - to accept the VA Finance Consortium's offer on all Veda Advantage shares.

Veda Advantage acquired Atlantis Group's marketing division in July as part of Veda Advantage's strategy to expand and diversify its range of marketing services to all New Zealand businesses.

In September, Veda Advantage acquired Australian Business Research (ABR) and National Tenancy Database (NTD) from Collection House Limited (CLH).

2006

Shareholders vote for a new company name in November.
Baycorp Advantage becomes Veda Advantage.
Baycorp Collection Services sold in May for A$97 Million.

2005

Baycorp Advantage announces a profit of $34.8 million.

Shareholders decide to exit the collections business.
Announced the "Baycorp Advantage Business Change Blueprint" program B³. This program was expected to produce net benefits of approximately $12 million a year from 2008.

2001

Data Advantage and Baycorp Holdings merge to form Baycorp Advantage with dual listings on the Australian stock exchange and the New Zealand stock exchange.

2000 

In November 2000, Data Advantage established another joint venture business with Trans Union, International, Inc. Called TransUnion Advantage, this business exclusively serves the Asian Pacific market in providing the software and decision support services to enable emerging economies to establish world-class credit-granting infrastructures.

1999

The establishment of the 50% joint venture business, Alliance Group Holdings, a company that offers a complete range of receivables management solutions.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is a one-third shareholder in Alliance, based at Parramatta, joining original shareholders Data Advantage and Baycorp Holdings.

1998 

Credit Reference demutualised and became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Data Advantage Group (Credit Advantage).

1967 

Credit Reference Association  began as a mutual organisation.