I believe AT had an automated share delivery system they had just put in place to try to be the market leader at delivering shares first to win market share over other brokers, and then after GVRP perhaps decided that maybe that was not the best idea due to the risks.
Once the shares were delivered they needed a strategy...
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot.