TransUnion Executives Address World Consumer Credit Conference in Cape Town, South Africa...

TransUnion Executives Address World Consumer Credit Conference in Cape Town, South Africa CAPE TOWN, South Africa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the 5th World Consumer Credit Reporting Conference, two of TransUnion's international executives addressed both challenges in South Africa and success achieved to date as well as the real and potential benefits of full-file reporting (reporting both positive and negative data) throughout the world. The conference was held in Cape Town, South Africa from Oct. 8-10.

Addressing the global crowd of government officials, regulators and credit reporting companies, Alex Yuen, managing director of TransUnion in Hong Kong, said that the lack of full-file reporting has kept many countries around the world from reaping economic benefits. Recent Latin America studies, commissioned by TransUnion, indicate that countries need three core elements to benefit from a credit infrastructure: a privately held credit reporting company, full participation among lenders and financial institutions, and full-file reporting.

"In Hong Kong, TransUnion worked with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority over a three year period to introduce positive consumer data to the market. The results were remarkable,"

Yuen said. "For example, individual unsecured credit loans increased by 38 percent from $29 billion to $40 billion from December 2003 to December 2005. With a comprehensive view of the credit information, institutions were able to better manage, price and aggressively market their loans to consumers at much lower interest rates."

During the opening session, Edward Khoury, chief executive officer of TransUnion in South Africa, said that despite inadequate distribution of services to outlying areas and a high unemployment rate, the South Africa credit system is robust and well developed. "We are one of the few countries in the world where both positive and negative information from credit providers is shared. This has enabled retailers and bankers to gain an accurate picture on the credit needs and behaviors of the population to extend credit in a responsible manner."

Khoury went on to note that while the appetite for credit is high in the market, education is the key moving forward to ensure consumers do not become over-extended. "TransUnion responded to this need by introducing financial literacy training in various school and university programs."

One of TransUnion's educational initiatives is with the Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA). An accredited, non-profit, private, higher education institution founded in 1999 in South Africa, CIDA develops future leaders to spread their knowledge to their home communities, teaching vast numbers of school students, community members and unemployed people about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life skills. Through the Black Empowerment initiative, CIDA is a

shareholder of TransUnion and in turn, TransUnion supports the university in various ways, including internships.

"CIDA is a remarkable program that we have the honor of being involved with," said Khoury. The financial education students receive at CIDA is multiplied many times over throughout the country as they share and teach these important principals in their own communities."

About TransUnion TransUnion is a leading global information solutions company that customers trust as a business intelligence partner and commerce facilitator. TransUnion offers a broad range of financial services that enable customers to manage risk and capitalize on market opportunities.

The company uses advanced technology coupled with extensive analytical capabilities to combat fraud and facilitate credit transactions between businesses and consumers across multiple markets. Founded in 1968, Chicago-based TransUnion employs 4,100 associates that support clients in more than 30 countries. Visit us at www.TransUnion.com/business.

Graphics and/or photographs to accompany this release can be obtained by members of the media by contacting Cliff O'Neal (coneal@transunion.com) at 312-985-2540 or Rob Lynch (ralynch@transunion.com) at 312-985-3059.