We should be pleased if you would let us know whether this credit is justified in view of their record in meeting payment dates. Is there a record of bad debts? We need to know this if we are to extend credit to them.
2. Translate the following letter into English.
先生们：
有关资信情况
8月3日来函收到，贵方要求我们谈谈信中提到的公司资信情况。
我们很高兴有这个机会向你们保证：我们对上述公司信心十足。该公司在本市开业多年，在业务能力和可靠履行职责方面受到高度敬重。
我公司和这家企业业务往来已超过六年，账目款项都是在规定日期及时结清。总的说来，这家公司信誉良好。
我们希望提供的这些信息会对你们有所帮助，并请严加保密。
此致
敬礼
2001年8月21日

Section 2: Skills for Writing Status Inquiries and Replies
How to Write Status Inquiries
Status inquiries are generally headed “Confidential” or “Private and Confidential”. Traders asking for information must remember that they are asking for a favor and therefore should write in polite and appreciative terms. When the information is received, no matter whether it is favorable or unfavorable, a suitable letter of acknowledgement and thanks must be sent. This is no more than common courtesy.
I. Conventionalities for Writing Status Inquiries
1. Will you please be so kind as to furnish us with details, as exact as possible, as to the credit which may be safely allowed to the firm whose name is given on the attached slip. 请你们给我们提供有关所附纸条上注明的公司的信用情况，越准确越好。
2. Messrs. Schneider & Kern have given us your name as a reference respecting their financial standing. Will you please inform us, in confidence, of the extent of their resources and also as to their reputation. Schneider & Kern公司推荐我方向贵方了解他们的金融财务状况。请贵方告知他们的资金财力和信誉情况，一切保密。
3. Any information you can furnish as to their capital and reputation would be greatly valued and treated in confidence by us. 你们能够提供有关他们资金信誉的任何情况，我们都将十分珍视，并保密。
4. We should be glad to know: a) whether they are in the wholesale trade; b) if their financial position is considered strong; c) if they are among leading wholesale firms in your city; d) whether they have the reputation of paying promptly; e) whether they have the reputation of keeping their engagements promptly and fully; f) what credit it would be safe to allow them; g) whether their credit is at all doubtful; h) whether they appear to have suffered very much from the strike in your district. 我们很乐意了解他们是否经营批发，他们的财务状况是否很好，他们是否是贵市的主要批发商，他们是否付款及时，他们是否及时彻底地守约，他们的信用贷款是否充足，他们的信用是否可靠，他们是否在贵地有工人罢工的麻烦。
5. The firm with whom we intend to deal has referred us to you for particulars respecting their business standing and trustworthiness. 我们将与之进行业务往来的那家商行要我们向贵行了解有关他们的商业地位与信誉。
6. We can assure you any information you may give us will be treated in absolute confidence. 我们可以向你方保证，你方给我们提供的任何信息，我们一定予以绝对保密。
7. We shall most grateful for any information you can obtain for us. 你们若能为我们获得任何情况，我们将不胜感激。
8. Any information you may be able to pass on to us will be treated as confidential. 对你提供的任何资料，我们都予以保密。
9. You may rest assured that any information you may provide will be treated as strictly confidential. 你们尽可放心，对你们提供的任何信息，我们一定予以绝对保密。
II. Conventionalities for Writing Replies to Status Inquiries
1. The Auto Engineering Co., Ltd. you mentioned is a private company run as a family concern by three brothers and was founded 15 years ago. 你们提到的那家汽车工程有限公司是十五年前开设的一家由三兄弟经营的私营家族企业。
2. We have completed our enquiries concerning the firm mentioned in your letter of 4th April and regret that we must advise you to regard their request for credit with caution. 我们已经调查了你方四月四日信中提到的那家商行。遗憾的是我们必须奉劝你方要谨慎对待该行提出的贷款要求。
3. As far as we know, their financial standing is sound. 就我们所知，他们的财务情况良好。