New module for Experian Payments Global Gateway will open up SWIFT messaging to banks’ corporate customers

Experian®, the global information services company, today launched the SWIFT for Corporates module of Experian Payments Global Gateway, providing organisations with a single gateway to the SWIFT messaging service. SWIFT for Corporates enables businesses to retire existing bank-specific communications solutions and reduce the costs associated with SWIFT integration.

The SWIFT for Corporates module will make SWIFT a more attractive proposition to organisations and their finance functions, which have traditionally been deterred by the cost and time required to implement and integrate the SWIFT messaging service.

SWIFT for Corporates is the first payment channel to be offered on the Experian Payments Global Gateway, a new, single payment hub that is designed to support multiple payment channels and to work with any bank and any business application.

Organisations utilising the Experian Payments Global Gateway can take advantage of different payment channels as they emerge and achieve efficiencies in European payment functions using a single, euro account. By implementing it, the number of manual payment processes and the associated risk of error or fraud are also reduced.

To reduce the cost and time spent connecting to SWIFT, Experian Payments is partnering with a SWIFT bureau, Synergy Financial Systems, which can manage, host and implement the SWIFTNet connection for corporates choosing to outsource the service.

Joy Stevenson, Director of Product Propositions at Experian Payments, commented: “The time required to implement SWIFT services coupled with the cost of integration has, so far, been a significant impediment to the take-up of SWIFT’s corporate propositions. Experian’s new offering will reduce the implementation time for the service and help corporates develop a stronger business case for introducing SWIFT. “Once implemented, Experian’s SWIFT for Corporates module will enable our customers to maximise the benefits of communications via SWIFTNet and achieve rapid straight-through-processing of payments and statement information.”

Peter Sandhu, Technical Director at Synergy Financial Systems, added: “In our experience, many international banks and corporates outsource the implementation and hosting of the SWIFT connection, so that they can concentrate on their core business. Our service minimises the operational cost for our customers and simplifies the environmental complexities associated with SWIFTNet access. As an accredited SWIFT Service Partner, we can provide SWIFT-trained and certified specialists to maintain the SWIFT interface systems.”

Experian Payments, which recently re-branded from Eiger Systems, leverages Experian’s data and global presence to develop international corporate payments services to help both corporates and banks to make their payments accurately and efficiently.

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About Experian plc

Experian plc is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organisations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.

Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organisations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.

For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organisations from financial services, retail and catalogue, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, California and Nottingham, UK. Experian employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in over 65 countries around the world. Continuing sales for the year ended 31 March 2008 were $4,059m (£2,020m / €2,858m)

For more information, visit the Group’s website on www.experiangroup.com.

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

About Experian Payments Experian Payments, formerly Eiger Systems Limited, develops global strategic payment software solutions and services to meet the requirements of the world’s leading banks and corporate organisations. Focussing on the specific challenges of data validation and payment processing, Experian Payments’ platform-independent solutions help organisations control costs, reduce risks and improve customer service through the minimisation of payment errors. Experian Payments has over 1,000 customers across all sectors of industry and commerce. Experian Payments is a division of Experian.

Visit Experian Payments at www.experianpayments.com

About Synergy Financial Systems

Synergy Financial Systems is a leading UK SWIFT Service Bureau providing support and hosting services to more than 50 financial institutions. These include banks, fund managers and corporates.

For more information on Synergy, visit www.synergy-fs.com