Household HSBC Watch

A wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris has an agreement with Household to provide private label retail credit financing through installment and revolving loans to Polaris consumers through Polaris dealers in the United States. The receivable portfolio is owned and managed by Household and its affiliate and is funded by Household and its affiliate except to the extent of a cash deposit by Polaris’ subsidiary equal to seven and one-half percent of the revolving credit portfolio balance.

Polaris’ deposit with Household is reflected as a component of Investments in finance affiliate and retail credit deposit in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Polaris’ subsidiary participates in 50 percent of the profits or losses of the revolving credit portfolio. Polaris’ allocable share of the income from the retail credit portfolio has been included as a component of Income from financial services in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Under the terms of the agreement, either party has the right to terminate the agreement if profitability of the portfolio falls below certain minimum levels. Polaris’ financial exposure under this agreement is limited to its deposit plus an aggregate amount of not more than $15.0 million.

Consumer advocates at Household - HSBC Watch remind consumers that Polaris paid $950,000 to settle accusations that it was late in reporting defects of its all-terrain vehicles (ATV) models that were linked to 19 accidents. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmed the story on January 13, 2005