ATLANTA, January 7, 1999 -- Equifax today announced that its Card Solutions division successfully converted more than 5,000 clients with 9.5 million total accounts to the advanced Equifax TBS and Pass-Through card processing systems.

"This milestone marks an important step forward for Equifax clients," said Jerry Hines, Equifax Card Solutions senior vice president and general manager. "The processing systems offer unique options and benefits that position our clients for continued growth well into the next millennium. Now that all conversions are complete, we look forward to focusing on system and service enhancements that will keep clients in the forefront of today’s competitive market."

Client conversions to the new processing systems began in 1996 and continued through November 1998. When Equifax acquired CSG Card Services in 1996, adding more than 2,000 clients, the scope of the conversion project nearly doubled. "We set an aggressive schedule to convert the newly acquired clients, and existing clients, to the new processing systems by the end of 1998," said Mr. Hines. "We gained expertise with each event, which helped us refine our processes and complete the project on schedule."

"I’m pleased with the smooth conversion," said Sheila Waite from First State Bank, Waynesboro, Mississippi. "I’ve been through other computer conversions in the past, and they’re never as easy as you’re told they will be. The Equifax conversion was exceptional. After converting to TBS, all systems functioned properly. No errors, no problems."

To prepare for the conversions, clients attended hands-on training at various locations throughout the country. In total, more than 200 conversion training sessions were held, and nearly 3,300 clients attended training. Approximately 1,200 clients used specially created computer-based training modules to streamline the learning process.

"The training was informative and progressed at a good pace," said Heather Moore from The State Bank, La Grange, Texas. "With Windows-based system access through the CardSource software, I can print transactions, statements, and do just about anything, all with the click of my mouse."

Debbie Johnson from The Exchange Bank, Gadsden, Alabama, also enjoys the ease and flexibility of the new system. "TBS offers so many options. I can identify lost/stolen accounts much faster; the reports are easier to read and understand; and the bill codes are more logical and can be mirrored to several products, which is a huge time saver," said Ms. Johnson. "The conversion went well, and I’m very pleased with the outcome."

"The conversion went wonderfully," said Kim Wrede, Abbey Credit Union, located in Vandalia, Ohio, "and the supportive people at Equifax helped us every step of the way." In preparation for conversion to the TBS system, Kim completed the CD ROM training and tutorial. "When taking the tutorials, I called my Equifax representative for help," said Ms. Wrede. "Jay was so knowledgeable and patient. That’s what I like best about the people who work at Equifax."

Equifax Card Solutions is one of the nation’s largest card processors, providing card processing services and marketing solutions for more than 5,000 clients in the United States. Equifax also provides high quality card processing services to clients internationally.

EQUIFAX (NYSE: EFX) is a worldwide leader in shaping global commerce by bringing buyers and sellers together through its information, transaction processing, consulting and knowledge-based businesses. Equifax serves the banking, financial, retail, credit card, telecommunications/utilities, transportation and healthcare industries and government. Founded in 1899, Atlanta-based Equifax today has 14,000 employees in 18 countries and sales in more than 45 countries. Revenues for the 12 months ended September 30, 1998, were more than $1.5 billion. For more Equifax information, visit the company’s Internet web site at www.equifax.com.