EQUIFAX DISCUSSES 4TH QUARTER OUTLOOK

ATLANTA, December 23, 1998 -- Equifax announced today that it expects fourth quarter earnings for the period ending December 31, 1998 to be lower than analysts' estimates. Based on current information, the company expects fourth quarter earnings per share of approximately $.31. Final results are expected to be released on Thursday, January 21.

The shortfall from analysts' estimates results solely from European operations, which Equifax has addressed. Financial review processes of Equifax have identified that company management in Europe had incorrectly projected the revenue and profit attributable to the fourth quarter from various long-term marketing contracts. Approximately half of the shortfall results from that factor. Other contributing factors include: the cancellation or postponement of several projects which could not meet desired production schedules, the collectablility of past due receivables, increased bad check losses in the check services operation in Europe and a softening in the U.K. economy. Finally, the company has written off its investment in RequesT, a U.K. start-up joint venture outside main business lines, which was continuing to require capital while not meeting our economic value added objectives. We are confident that the causes of the shortfall are isolated to our European operations. While these factors will result in a fourth quarter operating loss for Europe, we have taken decisive steps to deal with these factors going forward, including key management changes, a thorough review of forecasting, and increased focus on management of both technology processes and check risk controls.

"All other parts of our business - North American Information Services, Payment Services and Latin America are showing strong growth over the fourth quarter 1997 results," said Thomas F. Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The operations in our recent Brazilian acquisitions are performing as expected, despite some uncertainty in the Brazilian market.

"While we are very disappointed with the developments in Europe, we immediately assessed the causes and impact and moved swiftly to make the appropriate management and process changes. Equifax has always had a disciplined approach to managing our business - and as you would expect, we approach 1999 with caution given the challenging global economies as well as the anticipated Year 2000 diversion in the marketplace."

The company expects continued revenue and earnings growth in 1999 despite a challenging economic and business environment. The company expects earnings per share growth in 1999 in the 17% to 19% range. Earnings growth in 1999 will be impacted by expenses associated with Year 2000 (currently estimated at $.10 per share in 1999). Earnings growth should increase more in the second half of the year because expenses from our card processing start-up operations in the U.K. and India, as well as the dilution from our recent Brazilian acquisitions, will have a greater impact during the first half of the year.

Mr. Chapman continued, "The long-term growth opportunities and strategic vision for Equifax have never been more clear. As we are about to celebrate our one hundredth year in business, changing the shape of global commerce remains the key to our continued success. The results in our U.K. operation in the fourth quarter do not diminish our outlook for continued growth over the long-term or the fundamental performance of this company in Europe or elsewhere."

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.

Statements in this press release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Future events, risks and uncertainties, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Those factors could include worldwide and U.S. economic conditions, changes in demand for the company's products and services, risks associated with the integration of acquisitions and other investments, and other factors discussed in the "forward-looking information" section in the management's discussion and analysis included in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and in the "Year 2000 Information" section in the company's quarterly report on Form 10Q for the period ended September 30, 1998.