The SEC stated that: "These proceedings arise from violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the "FCPA") [15 U.S.C. § 78dd] by D&B arising out of conduct at two of its indirect subsidiaries in China, Shanghai Huaxia Dun & Bradstreet Business Information Consulting Co., Limited ("HDBC") and Shanghai Roadway D&B Marketing Services Co., Ltd. ("Roadway"). During the time period from approximately 2006 through 2012, D&B's HDBC and Roadway subsidiaries made unlawful payments in order to obtain or retain business. These unlawful payments were not accurately reflected in the books and records of HDBC and Roadway, which were consolidated into D&B's books and records. During the relevant period, D&B also failed to devise and maintain sufficient internal accounting controls to detect or prevent the improper payments."

The SEC stated that: "The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation has agreed to pay more than $9 million to resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act charges arising from improper payments made by two Chinese subsidiaries. According to the SEC's order, the two Chinese subsidiaries used third-party agents to make unlawful payments to obtain data vital to Dun & Bradstreet's business as a provider of business financial information."