ChoicePoint Releases First Quarter Results.

Business Editors

ALPHARETTA, Ga.,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

ChoicePoint Inc. (NYSE: CPS) today reported continued strong growth in revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2000. Revenues from continuing operations increased 26.8% to $122.9 million from $96.9 million in the first quarter of 1999. Operating income before unusual items increased 30.8% to $22.8 million while operating margins before unusual items increased to 18.5% in the quarter from 17.5% in the first quarter of 1999.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $33.3 million and Economic Value Added (EVA) was $2.2 million. Earnings per share (EPS) were $0.37 as compared to $0.30 in the first quarter of 1999.

"I'm very pleased with our continued momentum this quarter in meeting both our financial and our strategic objectives," commented chairman and chief executive officer Derek Smith. "We have maintained our focus on the responsible use of information and the key initiatives we set for 2000, while also pursuing significant new business opportunities. In addition to running the core business, we have made great progress toward completing the merger with DBT Online and look forward to closing the deal in mid-May and pursuing our combined opportunities in the public record information market."

Chief Financial Officer Michael Wood added, "First quarter results were very strong as we once again reported record revenue, earnings and EBITDA. Our revenue growth rate continued to accelerate in both our Insurance and Business & Government groups. Our consolidated internal growth rate was a record 19.3%, up from 16.1% in the fourth quarter 1999 and 6.8% in the first quarter 1999, and consistent with our goals and expectations for 2000."

Revenue from Insurance Services increased $15.0 million, or 24.8%, to $75.7 million in the first quarter of 2000 from $60.7 million in the first quarter of 1999. The results were driven by continued strong unit performance in personal lines products and laboratory services and the acquisition of Statewide Data Services, Inc. in January 2000. Comparable internal revenue growth for Insurance Services, excluding the effect of revenue from acquisitions made since the first quarter of 1999 and the divestiture of ChoicePoint Limited was 19.8%. The sale of ChoicePoint Limited, the Company's United Kingdom-based insurance services division, was completed in January 2000 with no material gain on the sale of the business. Operating income in Insurance Services was $26.9 million for the first quarter, up from $20.3 million in the first quarter of 1999. Operating profit margin in Insurance Services for the first quarter was 35.6% compared with 33.5% for the first quarter of 1999. Excluding acquisition amortization, operating profit margin for the first quarter of 2000 was 37.1%.

Revenue from Business & Government Services increased $10.9 million, or 30.2%, to $47.2 million in the first quarter of 2000 from $36.2 million in the first quarter of 1999. Comparable internal revenue growth for Business & Government Services, excluding the effect of revenue from acquisitions made since the first quarter of 1999, was 19.0% over prior year. Operating income in Business & Government Services was $4.3 million for the first quarter, up from $1.5 million in the first quarter of 1999. Operating profit margin in Business & Government Services for the first quarter was 9.1% compared with 4.1% for the first quarter of 1999. Excluding acquisition amortization, operating profit margin for the first quarter of 2000 was 15.6%.

Net income for the first quarter of 2000 was $11.3 million and EPS was $0.37. The effective tax rate decreased from 43.3% in the first quarter of 1999 to 41.5% in the first quarter of 2000 as a result of lower state income taxes.

ChoicePoint is the leading provider of decision-making intelligence to businesses, individuals and government agencies. Through the identification, retrieval, storage, analysis and delivery of data, the Company serves the information needs of the property & casualty and life and health insurance markets, and the business and government markets, including Fortune 1000 corporations, asset-based lenders, law firms and professional service providers, and local, state and federal governments. ChoicePoint is committed to the responsible use of information and the protection of personal privacy as fundamental planks of the Company's business model.

For more information about ChoicePoint visit the Company's web site at www.choicepoint.net.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company.

ChoicePoint is a trademark of ChoicePoint Inc.

                           ChoicePoint Inc.
                         Financial Highlights
                              (Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Three months ended
                                                  March 31,

(Dollars in thousands,                          2000          1999
except per share data)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Insurance Services revenue                   $ 75,717       $60,682
Business and Government Services revenue       47,155        36,213
Revenue from divested and discontinued lines(a)    --         2,789
                                              -------       -------
Total operating                               122,872        99,684
                                             ========        ======

Insurance Services operating income            26,942        20,327
Business and Government Services operating
income                                          4,290         1,484
Divested and discontinued lines operating
income(a)                                          --         1,259
Corporate(b)                                  (8,453)       (5,650)
                                              -------       -------
Operating income before unusual items          22,779         7,420
Unusual items                                      --         1,583
                                           ----------         -----
Operating income                               22,779        15,837

Gain on sale of business                           --         2,513

Interest expense                                3,395         2,556
                                               ------         -----

Income before income taxes                     19,384        15,794
Provision for income taxes                      8,044         6,839
                                               ------        ------

Net income                                    $11,340       $ 8,955
                                              =======       =======
Effective tax rates                             41.5%         43.3%
                                                =====         =====

Earnings per share--basic(c)                   $  .39        $  .31
                                               ======        ======
  Weighted average shares--basic(c)            29,080        28,874

Earnings per share-- diluted(c)                $  .37        $  .30
                                               ======        ======
  Weighted average shares--diluted(c)          30,628        29,610
                                              =======        ======

EBITDA(d)                                     $33,345       $28,134
                                              =======       =======

Acquisition amortization (pre-tax)(e)         $ 4,183        $3,762
                                             ========        ======
Acquisition amortization (after-tax)(e)       $ 3,112       $ 2,791
                                             ========       =======
Diluted earnings per share excluding
acquisition amortization(c)                   $   .47       $   .40
                                              ========      =======

(a)  Revenue and operating income from divested and discontinued lines
     in 1999 consists primarily of the operating results of
     ChoicePoint Limited. ChoicePoint Limited, the Company's United
     Kingdom-based insurance services division, was sold in January
     2000 with no material gain on the sale of the business. In prior
     years, ChoicePoint Limited's operating results were included in
     the Insurance Services group.
(b)  Corporate expenses represent costs of support functions,
     incentives and profit sharing that benefit both segments.
(c)  Earnings per share and weighted average shares reflect the
     2-for-1 stock split paid on November 24, 1999.
(d)  Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
     ("EBITDA") is presented not as a substitute for income from
     operations, net income or cash flows from operating activities.
     The Company has included EBITDA data (which are not a measure of
     financial performance under generally accepted accounting
     principles) because such data are used by certain investors to
     analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating
     performance, leverage and liquidity, and to determine a company's
     ability to service debt.
(e)  Acquisition amortization includes goodwill and other intangible
     amortization related to acquisitions.