Equifax Mortgage Services Begins Alliance With Bankers Hazard Determination Services, Inc.

Flood Zone Determination and Insurance Now Available With Mortgage Credit Reports

ATLANTA, March 26, 1996 -- Taking another step in providing "total solution" service to its customers, Equifax announced today an agreement with Bankers Hazard Determination Services to furnish "flood zone determinations" along with mortgage credit reporting products. Quick, easy access to flood insurance also will be part of this offering.

Bill Calpin, vice president and general manager, Equifax Mortgage Services, said, "This is another example of a beneficial partnership that leverages the technical expertise of Equifax and the product expertise of an industry leader."

Mortgage lenders today are expected to ensure that properties are properly reviewed for potential flood risk and then insured. Accordingly, that's done by comparing the property location and the correct Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-issued Flood Insurance Rate Map of the area in which the property is located.

Since lenders also are required to review all loans in their portfolio when FEMA revises its maps, BHDS and Equifax will provide both one-time determinations and the tracking of properties for potential impact of revised flood zones. The Equifax/BHDS approach relies heavily on digitized mapping and review processes to make an accurate determination, a significant advancement over earlier industry automation approaches in flood products.

"We are very pleased to begin this joint venture with Equifax," said David Howard, president, Bankers Hazard Determination Services. "Working together, we'll provide even better services to our mutual customers by leveraging technology to speed the ordering process without compromising quality and accuracy." Banker's automated on-line delivery system is compatible with Equifax's and the combination of products will be available as part of a single ordering process.

The offering is a strategic response to the concern expressed by many in the mortgage industry about current determination offerings that promise fast, on-line responses, potentially at the expense of accuracy.

Bankers Hazard Determination Services (formerly National Flood Certification Service - NFCS) has been performing flood zone determinations since 1983 when its parent, Bankers Insurance Company, was one of the first five private sector companies to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Bankers Insurance is now the fourth largest writer of federal flood insurance, with more than 200,000 policies in force.

Equifax Mortgage Services is a division of Equifax Financial Services Group. The parent company, Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX), committed to Global Information Leadership for the Information Age, is the leading provider of information services that help businesses grant credit, authorize and process credit card and check transactions, insure lives and property and control health care costs. Established in 1899 in Atlanta, Equifax today employs 14,000 people throughout North and South America, the United Kingd om and continental Europe. Revenues for the year ended Dec. 31, 1995, exceeded $1.6 billion.