IBM and Equifax today announced they have signed a contract amendment for information technology (IT) services in the United States, Canada, Spain and the U.K. The agreement will enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the services relationship between Equifax and IBM which started in 1993.

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The revised agreement will generate savings and enable the flexibility required for Equifax to support its dynamic business. The global relationship between Equifax and IBM will also ensure consistent operations and administration across all the countries in which Equifax operates by leveraging IBM's world-class service delivery and industry best practices and standards. Additionally, the improved performance, technology and process innovation will help support Equifax's business strategy to quickly introduce new products and services and provide better support for its customers.

"IBM is a key global strategic supplier to Equifax and this new agreement delivers performance accountability, cost productivity, service enhancement and software innovation while deepening the global integration and collaboration between our organizations," said Robert Webb, chief information officer, Equifax.

As part of the agreement, IBM will provide data center services including mainframe, midrange server, client service desk, network and business continuity and resiliency services for Equifax's operations. IBM will utilize its global delivery network of service centers and data centers to support Equifax's employees and customers worldwide.

"The current market is driving companies of all industries to aggressively manage their operations," said William Smith, IBM general manager, Financial Services Sector. "IBM and Equifax have been enhancing our strategic relationship over the past decade with a focus on delivering competitive solutions to Equifax's clients. By leveraging IBM's global best practices and resources, dynamic infrastructure and industry expertise, Equifax will be able to reduce costs and adapt quickly to this challenging global economy."

  The agreement was signed in March 2009.

  About Equifax Inc.

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, employment and income verification and human resources business process outsourcing services, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Customers have trusted Equifax for over 100 years to deliver innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability. Businesses -- large and small -- rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, HR/payroll services, and much more. We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity and maximize their financial well-being.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. operates in the U.S. and 14 other countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500(R) Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX. For more information visit, www.equifax.com.

About IBM

For more information, visit www.ibm.com/services. Additional press materials can be found at www.ibm.com/press/ITServices.

  Media Contacts:
  Jenna Gable
  IBM Media Relations
  (917) 472-3512
  gablej@us.ibm.com

  Jennifer Costello
  Equifax Media Relations
  (404) 885-8907
  jennifer.costello@equifax.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: gablej@us.ibm.com

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SOURCE: IBM