Press Release

EQUIFAX LAUNCHES SWITCHERS

New data source identifies holiday returners in the market for a credit card or mobile phone deal

London, 20th October 2009 - Understanding what triggers a consumer to look for a new product or service and targeting them at the right time can be complex. To help consumer marketers tackle this challenge, leading marketing services provider, Equifax, has launched Equifax Switchers - a new addition to the range of alerts and triggers within ConnectSelect, Equifax's consumer marketing database. Equifax Switchers is designed to give marketers the ability to identify individuals who have just returned from holiday and who may be looking to switch their current credit card or mobile phone deal or make other lifestyle changes and commitments.

The key to Equifax Switchers is the ability to provide timely alerts for the key activities associated with returning from holiday. Many holidaymakers reach the credit limit on their card whilst away and are looking for a balance transfer opportunity upon their return. As mobile phone bills come in after the holidays, individuals who have incurred high international call charges whilst away will potentially be looking to switch mobile phone providers.

"Over the last 12 months, good credit deals have been hard to find, meaning there has been little movement in the market, but that is beginning to change," explains Anne Morley, Head of Marketing Services Products for Equifax. "With more zero percent balance transfers and low or interest free periods now available, consumers will be looking to take advantage of these deals. Our new switcher data identifies potential prospects returning from holiday, opening a unique opportunity for tailored marketing offers at a time of greatest benefit for the consumer thereby ensuring the highest profitable response."

Switcher data, which has consumer consent for third party marketing, is available on a monthly basis as part of the Equifax ConnectSelect consumer marketing database. The data can be used in isolation or combined with other ConnectSelect variables to further refine selections and screen out unsuitable prospects. ConnectSelect provides the most up-to-date prospect data in the marketplace, giving marketers the ability to target prospects at a time when they are most responsive to direct marketing offers. Comprising names and addresses from real data sources such as the Edited Electoral Roll and Gap Fill data, ConnectSelect gives marketers the ability to target over 39 million consumers at key life stages such as moving home.

Morley concludes, "The effectiveness of marketing campaigns is absolutely crucial during this challenging period, where spend needs to provide the best possible ROI. We believe the timing of this new initiative will play a crucial role in helping marketers identify and target both specific switcher opportunities and also the well recognised lifestyle review opportunities that arise following a consumer's holiday.

In a tough market, Equifax continues to bring new levels of data to maximise opportunities for marketers to target prospective customers."

ENDS

*CIFAS 2008 Fraud Trends Report, issued January 2009

For further press information please contact: Wendy Harrison, Cecile Stearn, Margot Tomkinson or Jenny Staniforth at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: margot@harrisonsadler.com