Equifax (NYSE: EFX) has launched a new Merchant Data Network, an Equifax Cloud™-based data network to help provide greater visibility into the financial profiles of U.S small businesses.
Designed to give lenders and service providers the “increased confidence they need to extend capital in a rapidly changing economic environment, Equifax research shows that the Merchant Data Network can improve traditional commercial scoring by more than eight percent by providing valuable insights into the revenue small businesses generate from aggregated credit card transactions at the point of sale.”
The collaborative network combines the power of “the Equifax Commercial Financial Network with aggregated credit card transaction data from Fiserv and other data providers to bring new visibility to more than 5.5 million businesses from more than 50 billion credit card transactions per year.”
Sal Hazday, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Equifax U.S. Information Solutions (USIS) Commercial Business.
“Small businesses in the U.S. employ nearly half of the country’s workforce – making their financial health paramount to the health of our economy. Opening up new credit opportunities for small businesses is increasingly important, but making responsible lending decisions requires a strong understanding of true revenue and cash flow. With the Merchant Data Network, we’re partnering with organizations like Fiserv to make the most complete financial picture of a business available to lenders and service providers. Our shared goal is to advance the credit opportunities that small businesses need to thrive.”
The Merchant Data Network helps lenders “make faster and more informed decisions by providing up to 60 months of aggregate credit card transaction history, providing critical sales insights into organizations that may have limited traditional credit information.”
The aggregated credit card transaction data “provided through the network is valuable because it helps to verify merchant income and establish a business’ ability to pay.”
This information can be used alongside other business data, “such as firmographics, credit history and more, to:
Equifax plans to expand the small business revenue insights “provided through the Merchant Data Network through additional contributors in the future.”
The launch of the network expands “on the Equifax commitment to furthering access to credit for small businesses, joining innovative Commercial solutions, including: the Business Verification Solution and OneScore for Commercial.”
At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), they believe knowledge drives progress.
As a global data, analytics, and technology company, they play “an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence.”
Their unique blend of differentiated data, “analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward.”
Headquartered in Atlanta and supported “by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region.”
