EQUIFAX CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
OF FORWARD MOMENTUM
Growth, Innovation, Technology and People
Drive Centennial Company into Second Century in Business

ATLANTA, March 22, 1999 -- Equifax, the Atlanta-based company that has progressed steadily to an international $1.6 billion information solutions, transaction processing and electronic commerce powerhouse doing business on five continents, today celebrates 100 years of bringing buyers and sellers together. On March 22, 1899, two brothers from Tennessee, Guy and Cator Woolford, chose Atlanta as the place to set up their small credit information shop. They called it Retail Credit Company and it has been an integral part of Atlanta and Georgia ever since. The company became Equifax in 1975.

Equifax today is a household word in the world of international business, handling or facilitating more than 10 million online transactions per day for 300,000 customers around the world.

Today, Equifax is a growth company -- constantly expanding its reach with sales of its products and services in nearly 50 countries; increasing its revenue, operating income, earnings per share and market capitalization year after year; and introducing new solutions that make customers' business decisions easier. Equifax was named to the list of FORTUNE 500 service companies in 1991 and to the S&P 500 Index in 1997.

It's an innovative company -- moving from a commodity-oriented seller of reports to a developer and provider of custom knowledge-based solutions in information and transaction processing throughout the world.

It's a technology company -- employing state-of-the-art systems using neural networks and artificial intelligence to help its customers manage and mitigate risk. Its recent launch of electronic commerce services brings security and trust to transactions over the Internet. Equifax has been number one in the "Atlanta Fast Tech 50" companies in the Atlanta Business Chronicle for the past several years.

It's a people company -- realizing that success in its endeavors is due to the quality of its associates worldwide and stressing employee ownership with stock options for every Equifax employee. In 1998 and again in 1999, Equifax ranked third in FORTUNE’s listing of "America's Most Admired Companies" in the computer and data services category.

The Woolford Brothers, although not from Georgia, chose Atlanta as the place for their new company. Perhaps they had a vision of Atlanta as the international city it is and saw the possibility that one day their company would serve customers in many nations. That vision has come true. Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell has proclaimed today Equifax Day in the city. Governor Roy Barnes has proclaimed today Equifax Day in Georgia. Banners saluting the company's 100 years of contributions to the economy of the city, state and nation fly along Atlanta streets in both directions from the headquarters building at 1600 Peachtree Street, north to Buckhead and South on Spring Street past the new Equifax headquarters building under construction on Peachtree Street, at the corner of Spring.

Equifax is known for giving back to the communities where its employees work and live. This year, Equifax launched its "Hearts and Hands" program, an employee volunteer initiative that enables all employees to achieve their highest potential. "Hearts and Hands" encourages volunteerism and makes it easy by matching the many volunteer opportunities with employees who want to make a difference in the lives of others. While volunteering in communities is a reward in itself, Equifax also adds its own rewards for volunteers. The "Century Club" recognizes Equifax employees who volunteer 100 or more hours. Those volunteers will be honored at an annual luncheon, and a substantial contribution will be made in their name to the non-profit organization of their choice.

Today, in every community around the world where the Equifax logo is displayed -- across the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America -- associates are celebrating the company's birthday, cutting into centennial cake and spending the day educating their communities on the company's history and capabilities.

In the lobby of the current headquarters, museum-quality display cases chronicle the history of the company and the people who have contributed to its 100 years of financial success. Many retired Equifax employees have sent in items that portray the history of the company, from the original policy on the wearing of hats and gloves in the office to memos outlining business opportunities of the 1940s. The display will occupy an honored place in the new headquarters building when that state-of-the-art facility is completed later this year.

Thomas F. Chapman, Equifax president and CEO, who now leads the company that the Woolfords founded in the last year of the 19th century, has his eyes focused squarely on the first years of the 21st century. "Although today's Equifax is much different than the Woolfords' Retail Credit Company, their respect for service to customers, care for employees and integrity in all business transactions have continued through this century of doing business. As a public company since 1965, we add to those qualities our commitment to increasing value for our shareholders, fostering innovation in technology and promoting growth in our business. Equifax is a respected and trusted steward of information of the 20th century and will continue its worldwide industry leadership into the 21st Century," Chapman said.

Equifax (www.equifax.com), a worldwide leader in shaping global commerce, brings buyers and sellers together through its information management, transaction processing and knowledge-based businesses. Atlanta-based Equifax (NYSE: EFX) serves the financial services, retail, credit card, telecommunications/utilities, transportation, information technology and healthcare industries and government. Equifax adds knowledge, expertise, convenience and security to provide value-added solutions and processes for its customers wherever they do business, including the Internet and other public networks. Entering its second century in business, Equifax employs more than 14,000 associates in 18 countries with sales in nearly 50 countries and has more than $1.6 billion in revenue.