Equifax 2000 Annual Report Download - page 20

Forward-Looking Information
Spin-off of Payment Services
On October 2, 2000, the Company announced
that its Board of Directors approved a plan to
separate the Company into two independent
public companies. The Company intends to
accomplish the separation through a spin-off
of Payment Services to its shareholders in
the form of a tax-free stock dividend. The
Information Services businesses will retain the
Equifax Inc. corporate identity. Separating
Payment Services from Equifax Inc. will create
two companies, each with its own manage-
ment and Board of Directors focused on taking
advantage of growth opportunities in their
respective markets. As independent compa-
nies, each will set its own strategy for acquisi-
tions, alliances, resource allocation and
marketing more effectively for its individual
needs. Management expects this transaction,
which is subject to a favorable tax ruling and
certain regulatory approvals, to be completed
during the third quarter of 2001.
General
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis,
and other portions of this Annual Report,
include forward-looking statements which
are based upon management’s beliefs and
assumptions, as well as current expectations,
estimates, and projections. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees, but involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions which
may prove to be incorrect and may cause the
Company’s results to differ materially from
those implied or indicated by such statements.
All statements other than statements of historical
fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-
looking statements may be identified by the
use of words such as “believe”, “continue”,
“may”, “will”, or the negative of these or similar
terms, and include statements concerning
expectations or goals, possible or assumed
future results of operations, competitive posi-
tion, financing, economic conditions, business
strategies, projections of earnings, revenues or
financial results, and statements of belief or
assumptions regarding any of the foregoing.
Except as required by law, the Company has no
intention or obligation to update forward-look-
ing statements. Some of the risks and uncer-
tainties that may affect our performance
include economic changes in countries where
the Company conducts business; changes in
demand for credit and consumer debt; change
in marketing plans or techniques of customers;
U.S. and international regulatory or legislative
changes which may adversely affect the busi-
nesses conducted by the Company; retaining
and hiring employees; the successful spin-off
of the Payment Services Division; successful
development and marketing of new products
and services; protection and validity of patent
and other intellectual property rights; success-
ful incorporation of technological change; con-
trol and reduction of cost and expense; interest
rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
and, other risks or unforeseen factors including
those described from time to time in the reports
which the Company files with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including, but not
limited to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the years ending December 31, 2000 and 1999.
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