The chief executive of Experian said clients were "asking us for help as never before", as the credit checking group reported a 13 per cent rise in first-half revenues and said it would retain its PriceGrabber website.

Don Robert said: "Retail banks are seeing an outlook of higher loan losses, higher credit thresholds and a concentration on collections.

"We see an increased demand for collection and account management products, and there is a lack of price sensitivity in these areas."

Experian said that while visibility was low, the changed backdrop would present opportunities as clients look to strengthen risk management and collection activities.

In the US, its portfolio management and collections division - which accounts for a fifth of its US credit services business - has seen revenues rise by 20 per cent year on year.

Experian said a disposal of PriceGrabber, the price comparison site that was put under review in February, was "not in the best interests of shareholders" in the current funding environment.

Experian considered a divestment after deciding the business was not a good strategic fit and talked to a number of parties before Wednesday's decision.

While Mr Robert was quick to point out Experian's strengths in the current environment, analysts have expressed concern over its exposure to banks which are significant clients for the group. They are also concerned about how proposed mergers will affect the business.

Two fifths of Experian's business comes from US and UK financial services companies, which use its credit checking systems when deciding whether to lend to customers. Credit reports to assess mortgage lending account for 10 per cent of the North American credit services arm and 5 per cent of the division in the UK.

First-half growth was held back by further falls in the core credit services business in the US - which was down 5 per cent - and in the UK, which was down by 4 per cent as tougher credit conditions continued to bite.

However, organic sales for the group were better than expected at 3 per cent for the first half. The trend improved in the second quarter, where organic growth was up by 5 per cent compared with 1 per cent in the first quarter. Sales were helped by the first-time inclusion of Serasa, the Brazilian credit bureau Experian bought last year

Shares fell nearly 5 per cent to 313¾p. Net proceeds of about €150m (£116.7m) will be used to repay bank borrowings. Experian's net debt was $2.7bn (£1.5bn) at year-end.