Experian said it has joined forces with the SBA to help small businesses in economically depressed areas evaluate prospects, monitor relationships and collect debt.

The Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Experian said complimentary access to its BusinessIQ Express will be provided by the SBA to the agency's Historically Underutilized Business Zone or HUBZone firms and small businesses considered to be socially and economically disadvantaged under the SBAs 8(a) business development program.

BusinessIQ Express is an online tool that improves cash flow by providing small businesses with the resources they need to better manage their business relationships quickly and easily, according to Experian.

Through the tool, users can evaluate prospects, customers, suppliers and partners on their likelihood to pay or deliver on time, monitor their business relationships with alerts and notifications of key changes, and use several options to help collect on outstanding debts and avoid future losses.

The SBAs HUBZone program helps small businesses located in economically depressed areas get contract help, thus promoting job growth, capital investment and economic development, Experian said.