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NCO Group Completes Merger With NCO Portfolio Management HORSHAM, Pa., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NCO Group, Inc. ("NCO") , a leading provider of accounts receivable management and collection services, reported today that it has completed the merger of NCO Portfolio Management, Inc. ("NCPM") , into a wholly owned subsidiary of NCO. NCPM is a leading purchaser and manager of delinquent accounts receivable. Prior to the merger, NCO owned approximately 63% of the stock of NCPM. In the merger, NCO issued approximately 1.8 million shares of NCO common stock to NCPM's minority stockholders. Following the transaction, which is tax-free to the stockholders of NCPM, former NCPM minority stockholders will own approximately 6.5% of NCO. The transaction is expected to be neutral to NCO's earnings in 2004 and slightly accretive in 2005 and beyond. For further information: At NCO Group, Inc. Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and CEO Steven L. Winokur, EVP, Finance and CFO Paul E. Weitzel, Jr., EVP, Corporate Development and International Operations (215) 441-3000 http://www.ncogroup.com/ Certain statements in this press release, including, without limitation, statements as to the impact of acquisition, statements as toNCO's, or its management's beliefs, expectations or opinions, and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, are subject to change at any time and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expected or planned results. In addition to the factors discussed above, certain other factors, including without limitation, risks relating to acquisitions including possible unknown liabilities, the risk that NCO will not be able to implement its business strategy as and when planned, risks related to the final outcome of the environmental liability, risks related to past and possible future terrorists attacks, risks related to the economy, the risk that NCO will not be able to improve margins, risks relating to growth and future acquisitions, risks related to fluctuations in quarterly operating results, risks related to the timing of contracts, risks related to international operations, risks relating to any adverse impact of restating NCO's historical financial statements and other risks detailed from time to time in NCO's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, can cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. NCO disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise. DATASOURCE: NCO Group, Inc.; NCO Portfolio Management, Inc. CONTACT: Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and CEO, or Steven L. Winokur, EVP, Finance and CFO, or Paul E. Weitzel, Jr., EVP, Corporate Development and International Operations, all of NCO Group, Inc., +1-215-441-3000 Web site: http://www.ncogroup.com/

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