Equifax Posts New Quarter Record;
Earnings Per Share Climb 32%

First Quarter Income Statement

ATLANTA, April 16, 1996 -- Equifax today reported record revenues and earnings for the first quarter of 1996, including a 31.6 % increase in earnings per share.

Revenues for the period ending March 31, 1996, climbed 10.1 % compared to the prior year period, setting an all-time quarterly record of $423.0 million. Operating income of $65.9 million increased 23.8 % over the comparable period, while earnings per share jumped from $.19 during the same period last year to $.25 for the first quarter of 1996.

"We are pleased to report such strong first quarter revenue and earnings growth," said Equifax President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. McGlaughlin. "Revenue growth was strong, particularly given the divestitures of three businesses last year. Excluding acquisitions and divestitures, revenue grew 12%. We're also pleased to report the Economic Value Added, or EVA(tm) performance measure for our company improved substantially versus the comparable period a year ago."

Chief Financial Officer Donald U. Hallman said, "The operating leverage inherent in our business was evident, as the operating income margin for the first quarter was 15.6 % versus 13.9 % in 1995. The company's financial results this quarter also benefited from the recording of $5 million in revenue in connection with its High Integrity Systems Inc. (HISI) subsidiary's lottery subcontract."

SEGMENT RESULTS

Revenues in Financial Services increased 16% to $264.9 million. Credit Services revenue increased 16% primarily due to growth in Credit Reporting Services, Credit Marketing Services and Risk Management. Credit Reporting Services revenue benefited from strong demand within the financial, automotive, mortgage and utilities industries. Payment Services revenue grew 18% led by strong growth in Card Services and FBS. International Operations revenue grew 12%, led by 25% revenue growth in European operations .

The Insurance Services Group reported revenue growth of 7%. The strong performance of Data Services, CUE U.K. and Osborn Labs contributed to this growth.

Operating income in General Information Services for the first quarter was $3.2 million compared to a loss of $1.5 million for the first quarter of 1995. This improvement reflects the recording of $5 million revenue in connection with HISI's lottery subcontract. The remaining balance of the $58 million payment received under the subcontract will be recorded as revenue over the 66 months of the contract.

Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX), committed to Global Information Leadership for the Information Age, is the leading provider of information services that help grant credit, authorize and process credit card and check transactions, market products, insure lives and property, and control health care costs. Established in 1899 in Atlanta, Equifax today employs about 14,000 people throughout North and South America, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe. Revenues for the year ended March 31, 1996, were $1.7 billion.