Germany’s SCHUFA announces strategic partnership with GB Group to offer UK businesses instant identity verification for 65 million German citizens

Offering increased security for UK businesses to extend their reach to the German market

GB Group, the leading provider of identity management solutions, and SCHUFA, Germany’s largest credit reference agency, have today announced a strategic partnership to offer GB clients an unrivalled identity verification capability for the German market. The SCHUFA service which has been embedded into GB’s international e-IDV service, ID3 Check, offers access to 65 million German citizens and will offer organisations a much more robust means of verifying German nationals’ identity than has been hitherto possible. This new level of ID verification will be of particular relevance to businesses that wish to trade online or that wish to offer age-restricted products to German citizens.

The anonymity of the Web demands a very specific approach to identity verification. Deciding if the potential customer is genuine or is over the required age limit is often difficult and fraud can be easily perpetrated simply by providing a false name or address. This new partnership between SCHUFA and GB Group means that the market’s leading identity verification technology can now be applied within Germany, offering UK businesses the opportunity to take on new German customers secure in the knowledge that their anti-fraud and social responsibility measures are as robust as those in place for UK customers.

For SCHUFA the partnership with GB Group marks an important step towards becoming a truly international concern.

“For SCHUFA it is vitally important that we extend our reach beyond our own borders and develop a strong platform of international activity. We have chosen to work with GB Group as we recognised them as the clear leaders in the field of identity management,“ said Professor Dieter Steinbauer, CEO of SCHUFA and Managing Director of Creditinfo SCHUFA Ltd.. “Working together we will be able to offer truly innovative products that offer independent and global coverage, creating the environment of trust that all organisations need if they are to conduct business easily – and responsibly.”

“Successful organisations know the value of identity – who you are, what you need and what you like,” commented GB Group’s CEO Richard Law. “Working with SCHUFA we are now able to offer the highest possible standard of identity verification for every organisation that wishes to engage with German customers. Knowing that your customer is who he claims to be is just the start – but it is the vital component of any responsible business model in the 21st century. In these difficult times, businesses need to know there are as few barriers to doing business as possible. With full “KYC” level identity verification now available in ID3 Check, doing business with German customers just got easier!”

-ENDS-

About GB Group plc

GB Group is the UK’s leading identity management business. It helps organisations recognise and verify all elements of an individual’s identity at every interaction.

GB Group knows that identity matters. Through the application of our proprietary technology, we can protect, predict and provide information that is used to maximise customer value and prevent crime for some of the largest organisations in the UK.

GB Group has three complementary offerings:

· Identity Capture and Maintenance – providing accurate and up-to-date consumer information to confirm accurate and current contact details

· Identity Verification – combating ID fraud, money laundering and under-age gambling

· Identity Analysis – understanding, targeting and retaining profitable customers

This enables its clients to make informed business decisions based on a thorough knowledge of consumer identity and behaviour.

GB Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (GBG). For more information, please visit GB Group’s website: www.gb.co.uk.

GB Group – because identity matters™

About SCHUFA

SCHUFA Holdings AG is the leading information and service partner for the credit industry. The organisation enables its clients, including banks, savings institutions and retailers to make business decisions regarding consumer lending and thereby enabling fast and seamless trade. Through its Internet portal www.meineSCHUFA.de users can access information about products and services as well as a direct view of their own personal credit information. SCHUFA reported turnover in 2008 of 94.7 million Euros and employs 804 people.

SCHUFA’s international activities are carried out through the joint venture Creditinfo SCHUFA Ltd which sees SCHUFA Holdings AG join forces with Creditinfo Group, an organisation based in Wiesbaden in Germany which already operates in 11 different European countries. The joint venture will offer a wide range of information and data services on credit history and credit worthiness to a large proportion of the European market. This will also include the development of value added services such as software solutions.

For further information contact:

GB Group plc:

Karyn Bright

GB Group,

Kingsfield Court Chester Business Park

Chester

UK CH4 9GB
Mobile: 07931 336458 Office: 01244 657 333

SCHUFA Holding AG:

Katrin Haase

SCHUFA Holding AG

Kormoranweg 5

65201 Wiesbaden

Tel.: 0611 – 9278-888

E-Mail: presse {at} schufa(.)de

www.schufa.de