COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 4, 2004 -- Experian(R), a global information solutions company, today announced the launch of its enhanced Commercial Intelliscore and Small Business Intelliscore models for business- to-business credit decisioning. The Intelliscore models enable all types of businesses to evaluate the creditworthiness of business customers with greater speed and accuracy leading to increased sales, better customer relationship management and reduced operational costs.

In response to the latest challenges in the marketplace, the Intelliscore models have been re-engineered using enhanced statistical algorithms, and current credit and demographic data to accurately predict future risk. The new models have demonstrated measurable improvements in performance when validated against actual client portfolios. The results of these tests indicate clients will be able to target risk more effectively, leading to improved decision-making.

"Built with the depth and breadth of Experian's data assets, Commercial Intelliscore and Small Business Intelliscore deliver the power and predictiveness to take the guess work out of the credit decisioning process," said Mark Zablan, president of Experian's Business Information Solutions. "The new models provide the foundation for the decisioning tools that will dramatically improve credit department productivity and risk management."

Commercial Intelliscore

Using a commercial database of more than 18 million U.S. businesses and the most extensive small business coverage in the industry, Commercial Intelliscore enables clients to process a greater number of transactions more accurately and cost-effectively. Commercial Intelliscore is designed to predict payment delinquency of 90 days or more, for businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Risk scores range from 0-100, with higher scores representing lower risk.

In addition, the Commercial Intelliscore report has been re-designed to provide companies with quality business information in an easy-to-read format, which highlights the most important and significant information up front, for faster decision making. Clients can customize the report by setting up to 10 score ranges and tying specific decisions or actions to each range in order to automate account processing.

Small Business Intelliscore

Experian's Small Business Intelliscore allows businesses to view and evaluate the complete credit picture of a small business, including both the credit information available on the business and the proprietor's personal credit history. The model has been refined using advanced statistical techniques and new data variables, such as recent credit inquiries, new account activity, credit line information and performance indicators to score more records, more accurately. The result is a precision tool that is designed to predict small business payment delinquency of 90 or more, and is able to generate a predictive score even if very little business information is available.

Commercial Intelliscore and Small Business Intelliscore are the result of the combined efforts of Experian's Business Information Solutions and Experian-Scorex, one of the world's foremost decision-support companies.

"The predictiveness of Experian's new business-to-business models further proves the power of combining data and analytics to provide companies in any industry with accurate and reliable decisioning and risk management capabilities," said Walt Ramsey, president, Experian-Scorex North America."

Commercial Intelliscore and Small Business Intelliscore can be accessed through Experian's BizApps, a secured online client access platform.

About Experian

Experian(R) is a global leader in providing information solutions to organizations and consumers. It helps organizations find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships by providing information, decision-making solutions and processing services. It empowers consumers to understand, manage and protect their personal information and assets. Experian works with more than 40,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, property, e-commerce and government. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, California. Its 13,000 people support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.3 billion.

For more information, visit the company's Web site on http://www.experian.com.

The word 'Experian' is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries, and is owned by Experian Ltd and/or its associated companies.

SOURCE Experian

Web Site: http://www.experian.com

Susan Henson or Roslyn Whitehurst
Public Relations
714 830 5129 or 714 830 5578
susan.henson@experian.com or
roslyn.whitehurst@experian.com