Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC · Reading United Kingdom ·(London AIM: ABM)

Perhaps James Bond turned to Albemarle & Bond for his diamond and gold needs. The company operates more than 70 pawnshops throughout the UK, lending cash almost exclusively against the security of upscale jewels. With some 100,000 pawn loans in circulation, pawn broking accounts for about half of Albemarle & Bond's annual income. Some 80% of its loans are redeemed; the remaining unclaimed jewelry is sold to repay the loan and interest, making Albemarle & Bond one of the largest jewelry retailers in the UK. Additionally, the company cashes more than $56 million worth of third-party checks each year and handles around 500,000 payday advances annually. US-based EZCORP owns more than a quarter of Albemarle & Bond. To read the full description, subscribe now.