26/10/2009

Saffron Building Society has selected Experian, the global information services company, to authenticate new savings account applications quickly and efficiently, as it prepares to launch its new online account opening service. The move reflects Saffron’s increasing multi-channel focus as it seeks to grow its customer base through its online services.

With Experian’s Authenticate service, new and existing customers who apply for Saffron savings accounts online will no longer need paper based proof of identity to hand, as their personal details will be automatically verified by Authenticate. The system checks the applicant’s personal information against Experian’s data sources to confirm identity and highlight risks of money laundering or fraud. The authentication result is returned quickly and customers can be given an instant decision on their application.

Saffron Building Society has been in operation for nearly 150 years and this new strategy supports its aim of growing its 160,000 strong customer base and encouraging new customers to save.

Andrew Rushworth at Saffron Building Society, says: “Using Authenticate to verify online account applications underlines our commitment to improving our customers’ experience across the range of channels we now use to help meet customers’ savings needs. The speed of the service will allow us to process account applications more efficiently, providing new customers with a fully functioning account soon after the account is requested. It will also make the opening of accounts easier for our staff as our online savings range continues to grow.”

James Blake, Head of Experian’s UK Authenticate team, says: “Growth in the number of financial services companies introducing online offerings, combined with consumer expectations of online services in general, has put pressure on the sector to streamline application processes. The breadth and depth of data that Authenticate uses to remotely verify customers, means Saffron Building Society can bring customers on board much more quickly whilst satisfying increasingly tough regulatory requirements. In the case of its savings customers, it also means that they can start depositing sooner, tying in with the FSA's drive to improve liquidity across the building society sector as a whole.”

About Experian

Experian 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. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and has operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, California and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries worldwide, supporting clients in over 65 countries around the world. Total Group revenue for the year ended 31 March 2009 was $3.9bn.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.