SCORE and Experian Team Up to Help Small Businesses Build Healthy Credit

WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" and Experian, the leading global information services company, join forces to offer "how to" resources that help entrepreneurs better understand their business credit profile and strengthen their credit score. As a newly recognized National Corporate Sponsor of SCORE, Experian will help promote financial health by sponsoring SCORE Expert Answers and a new eGuide on www.score.org.

The new eGuide, "Growing and Maintaining a Healthy Business Credit Score," is now available for download under the "Financing Your Business" section at www.score.org. The eGuide is designed to educate business owners on the basics of their credit profile, as well as provide tips and resources about how business owners can effectively manage their credit.  

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are looking for ways to increase financing to start and grow businesses as the economy recovers. Thanks to Experian, SCORE can offer new resources to support the success of small businesses across America." Yancey adds, "SCORE counselors can help guide entrepreneurs through the process of reviewing their finances, getting loans and building their businesses."

"Experian is committed to helping people and businesses understand their credit so that they can be better equipped to make wise financial decisions," said Allen Anderson, president, Experian's Business Information Services. "Making sure that your small business has a solid credit report is as important as maintaining a positive credit history in your personal life. In fact, when creditors are reviewing the creditworthiness of a small business, having a solid business credit history becomes critical to that business' success."

SCORE Expert Answers is a monthly eNewsletter reaching more than 100,000 small business owners with small business and industry experts sharing secrets of success to help small businesses become more successful and profitable.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through mentoring and workshops. More than 12,400 volunteer business counselors in 364 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE on the web at www.score.org and www.score.org/women.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 65 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2009, was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  

For more information, visit www.experianplc.com.

SOURCE SCORE Association