Equifax : Q&A with Márcio Fabbris, CEO of Boa Vista Serviços, an Equifax company

Equifax completed the acquisition of Boa Vista Serviços, the second largest credit bureau in Brazil, on August 7, 2023. This strategic and financially attractive acquisition marks an exciting new global chapter for both Equifax and Boa Vista customers and employees, expanding the Equifax International footprint in the large and fast-growing $2 billion Brazilian total addressable market. We believe that more data drives better decisions, and this merger offers Boa Vista access to global Equifax capabilities and cloud-native data, products, decisioning and analytical technology for the rapid development of new products and services and expansion into new vertical industries.

We spoke with Márcio Fabbris, CEO of Boa Vista Serviços, an Equifax company, to ask him to share his thoughts about the acquisition and learn more about Boa Vista.

Q: When and why was Boa Vista founded?

A: Boa Vista was established in 2010 when the Brazilian Association of Credit Reporting Companies introduced the Brazilian Credit Score System. Equifax has long been a part of the Boa Vista story, having invested in the company since 2011. Boa Vista develops innovative solutions focusing on intelligent, secure, and cutting edge technology products to support critical decisions for companies and individuals. Approximately 34 million consumers are unbanked or underbanked in Brazil, making the work we do critically important to helping drive financial opportunity.

Q: What services does Boa Vista provide to customers today?

A: Boa Vista and Equifax have a shared belief that more data drives better decisions. Boa Vista uses analytical intelligence to turn data into the insights organizations need to make those decisions. Today, we support decision-making for lenders and service providers in all phases of the business cycle: prospecting, acquisition, portfolio management, and recovery. We are looking forward to working with Equifax to bring new products and capabilities leveraging the global Equifax Cloud platform to Brazilian lenders and service providers to help them better understand their customers and promote greater financial inclusion.

Boa Vista also understands the importance of the cloud. We've been working with Google Cloud since 2021 to create a cloud-native architecture, which has helped us advance in security and data privacy best practices in data processing operations. Boa Vista holds global certifications like ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 27001 (information security management), and the DAMA (Data Management Association) Maturity Seal for Data Management, Governance, and Quality.

Boa Vista prioritizes data privacy, applying best-in-class measures to protect personal data. We were the one of the first companies in Brazil to obtain ISO 27701, a globally recognized privacy information management system certification.

Q: What about this acquisition with Equifax makes it exciting for Boa Vista and its employees?

A: As an Equifax company, Boa Vista will have access to expansive global capabilities and cloud-native data, products, decisioning and analytical technology for the rapid development of new products and services and expansion into new vertical industries. For employees, a global organization opens new horizons and opportunities. We are excited to be able to work with professionals from diverse cultures and countries. Equifax offers a number of tools to support career growth and professional development, and is a company that believes in building employee's careers.

Q: What strengths will Boa Vista and Brazil bring to Equifax?

A: Boa Vista has exclusive data assets and significant expertise in analytics, bringing an innovative and competitive approach to the Brazilian market - the largest economy in Latin America. Our rich Brazilian culture also adds a unique and enriching perspective, contributing further to the diversity of Equifax.

Q: How is Boa Vista involved in the communities where its employees live and work?

A: We share Equifax's commitment to creating economically healthy individuals and financially inclusive communities. Boa Vista developed an online financial education content and household budget management program for participants in the Women's Credit Program, in partnership with CMEC - Women Entrepreneurs and Culture Council and ACSP - São Paulo's Commercial Association. Last year, we also supported AFESU, an institution highly recognized in the country, working with girls ages 15-17 who live in vulnerable economic conditions.