Experian Partners with EqualFooting.com; Information Company to Provide Risk Assessment and Authentication Services for Rapidly Growing B2B Marketplace

Business Wire, August 3, 2000

Business/High Tech Editors

ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2000

Experian, a leading information solutions company, today announced its partnership with EqualFooting.com, a leading B2B online marketplace that places small manufacturing and construction businesses on "equal footing" with large companies in purchasing, financing and shipping.

Experian's risk scoring and fraud prevention technologies will enable EqualFooting.com's lending partners to make decisions on small business loan applications more quickly and cost-effectively.

"In a competitive business environment, it is necessary that businesses get the products and services they want in an expedient and cost-efficient manner, but it's also important that they feel good about the companies they do business with," said Allen Mills, vice president of Experian's business information solutions group. "Experian's full suite of products will provide EqualFooting.com's suppliers and lenders with peace of mind in knowing that they are conducting business with reputable, responsible customers."

"Experian's services help streamline the application review process for our lenders and in turn minimize the turnaround time for small businesses applying for financing through EqualFooting.com," said Mintu Bachann, chief information officer, EqualFooting.com. "Timely and accurate credit and fraud information are imperative for our lenders since they are reviewing and offering financing options for our small business members in a matter of only seconds."

EqualFooting.com will integrate Experian's products to quickly and precisely assess the credit risk of small business customers that are purchasing supplies and equipment or applying for financing. As such, EqualFooting.com's top tier suppliers and lenders can effectively assess the creditworthiness of the applicant to enable them to bid on those transactions that meet their risk tolerance levels. This process works well for both buyers and sellers by reducing transaction costs, saving time, and establishing long term B2B relationships.

"Our partnership with EqualFooting.com allows Experian to do what it does best -- work directly with clients to develop customized end-to-end solutions to make their businesses more profitable," said Mills. "This is a perfect application for our industry-leading small business e-commerce services."

About Experian

Experian is an information solutions company. It uses the power of information to help its clients target prospective customers, manage existing customer relationships and identify opportunities for profitable growth. Experian is a subsidiary of The Great Universal Stores PLC and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK and Orange, California. Its 12,000 people support clients in more than 50 countries. Annual sales are about $1.5 billion.

For more information, visit the company's web site at www.experian.com.

About EqualFooting.com

EqualFooting.com is a leading B2B online marketplace that places small manufacturing and construction businesses on "equal footing" with large companies in purchasing, financing and shipping. Small business customers can buy industrial and office supplies, get loans and leases, and schedule freight delivery by accessing EqualFooting.com's vast network of vendors through its website or toll-free number. EqualFooting.com is a privately held company based in Dulles, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.equalfooting.com or call 703/796-4000.