Provident says credit card business slightly beat expectations in fourth quarter

(Reuters) - Sub-prime lender Provident Financial said on Wednesday its credit card business Vanquis Bank, which has been a driver of profit, performed modestly above expectations in the fourth quarter, partly due to tight cost control.Provident, which fended off a takeover attempt by smaller rival Non-Standard Finance last year, added that its consumer credit business also delivered results in line with its plans, helping it forecast 2019 to be in line with market expectations.