Alliance Data Systems Schedules August Vote For Blackstone Group Merger

Alliance Data Systems (ADS) filed a Definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC yesterday for their proposed merger with the Blackstone Group (BX) that states that ADS shareholders who owned shares as of July 2, 2007 will have the opportunity to vote on the deal on August 8, 2007.

The shareholders will receive $81.75 in cash for each ADS share that they own if the merger in completed.

The filing also stated that the merger is still subject to approval from various foreign regulatory bodies, completion of an FDIC review, and the resolution of four lawsuits that have been filed as a result of the announced merger agreement.