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Contact:
USA
Susan Henson
Experian Public Relationss
714 830 5129 Telephone
susan.henson@experian.com Email

Canada
Jennifer Ross
NATIONAL Public Relations
416 848 1379 Telephone
jross@national.ca Email

Experian expands operations in Canada

Acquisition of credit bureau establishes foundation for Experian's Canadian credit reporting business

Costa Mesa, Calif. and Toronto — Sept. 27, 2006 — Experian^®, a global information solutions provider, today announced it has expanded its Canadian operations by acquiring Quebec-based Northern Credit Bureaus Inc. This extends the number of countries in which Experian operates consumer credit bureaus to 13.

The transaction will enable Experian to leverage Northern Credit Bureau’s consumer database to build its credit reporting business in Canada. This will enable clients to make more informed and reliable credit decisions to better manage credit risk and customer relationships. Experian has had a long-term presence in Canada through its Experian-Scorex operations in Toronto and provides scoring and software tools that enable Canadian lenders to make the best possible credit decisions.  

“Experian is very committed to expanding and investing in its operations in Canada,” said Tony Canapini, country manager for Experian Canada Inc. “This acquisition strengthens the foundation for Experian’s business development initiatives in this key market.”

“Canada is an important market for us,” said Hiq Lee, executive vice president and general manager, Credit Information Solutions, Experian Canada Inc. “Consumer borrowing levels in Canada have increased substantially in recent years. With total consumer debt now exceeding total personal disposable income, financial institutions, credit grantors and retailers need better alternatives for data and tools to manage their businesses. Many of Experian’s U.S.-based clients already have a strong presence in this market and have asked Experian to extend its credit information solutions into Canada.”

The acquisition is consistent with Experian’s vision of using its people, data and technology to become an important part of every major consumer economy around the world and in particular builds on Experian’s strong presence in the United States.

For more information, please call 416 593 7906 ext. 225 or visit http://www.experian.com/intl/canada.html 

About Experian
Experian is a global leader in providing value-added information solutions to organizations and consumers. Experian provides information, analytics, decision-making solutions and processing services. Using its comprehensive understanding of individuals, markets and economies, it helps organizations to find, develop and manage customer relationships to make their businesses more profitable. Experian promotes greater financial health and opportunity among consumers by enabling them to understand, manage and protect their personal information, helping them control financial aspects of key life events and make the most advantageous financial decisions. Experian works with clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce, property and government. Experian will separate from its parent company GUS plc through a demerger expected to complete on October 11, 2006 and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.  With operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif., Experian employs more than 12,500 people in 30 countries worldwide who support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales are in excess of $3.0 billion.

The word “Experian” is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries and is owned by Experian Ltd. and/or its associated companies.

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