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We sit in a pivotal position in the societies where we work. For us at Experian, using our data and expertise to create a better tomorrow is more than an opportunity. It’s a responsibility. We are pleased to announce we have published our annual Sustainable Business Report 2020, which outlines Experian’s dedication to social and environmental issues and details our corporate responsibility performance. In the report, we also highlight Experian’s target to reach 100 million additional people globally by 2025 with social innovation products and services. Additionally, the Sustainable Business Report focuses on our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030. By utilizing renewable energy, reducing the carbon impact of business travel, and investing in high-quality carbon offsets, we reduced our carbon footprint by 8% last year and cut the carbon intensity of our business by 14% per $1,000 of revenue compared with the previous year. Additionally, 29% of Experian’s worldwide energy was also renewable. We are excited to share a few key takeaways from this year’s Sustainable Business Report: Experian employees volunteered 54,500 hours in and outside of work time to support their communities. This included over 3,500 hours in March 2020 to support communities as the COVID-19 crisis took hold. In Brazil, we have supported the introduction of new legislation enabling millions of consumers to benefit from the use of ‘positive’ data about the credit and other bills they pay on time. Experian Boost helped over 1.5 million Americans improve their credit scores, collectively boosting their FICO® scores by more than 17 million points. Prove ID-Link helped 7.5 million people in India prove their identity. As a result, more people are able to open a bank account and access credit for the first time. Learn more by viewing or downloading our full Sustainable Business Report here.

“What does a credit bureau do?” is one of the most common questions I’ve answered throughout the years – both at conferences and cookouts. Admittedly, it can be difficult understanding the different roles of credit bureaus, credit score companies, and lenders. Amid COVID-19, it’s important for us to define our purpose and help guide you toward the right resources for financial help. As the consumers’ bureau, Experian is committed to examining financial questions and helping consumers, businesses, and lenders navigate this transitional fiscal landscape. It’s important for you to know your financial options and how to separate fact from fiction, especially during times of crisis. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about credit. Do credit bureaus make lending decisions? This is one of the rare instances in credit reporting for which there is a simple answer. No, credit bureaus do not make lending decisions. Lenders – such as banks, mortgage companies, credit unions, and credit card issuers – help consumers borrow money and they make the lending decisions. The credit bureaus are responsible for working closely with lenders to provide information that helps them make informed and responsible lending decisions. At Experian, we equip lenders with accurate and complete data about consumers’ and small businesses’ credit activity and payment history, which enables lenders to develop a full picture of a borrower’s financial health. During COVID-19, it is important for there to be open lines of communication between consumers and lenders about upcoming payments and payment plans. Some lenders are offering deferments and other workable accommodations to ensure consumers do not fall behind on their payments. It is important for consumers to contact their lenders to understand what options are available to them. Do credit bureaus control my credit score (and whether it goes up or down)? Credit bureaus, like Experian, do not determine your credit score. Credit scores are calculated based on third-party credit-scoring models, like those developed by FICO or VantageScore Solutions. These models use information from your credit reports, including credit activity sourced from credit bureaus, to calculate a credit score. The scoring models are proprietary to the companies that develop them. In the most fundamental terms, the credit bureaus are responsible for compiling the credit reports. The scoring companies create algorithms that calculate the score. Credit scores reflect the information in your credit report at the moment the credit score is calculated. The scores will change to reflect changes in your credit report. You control how you use credit, so you play an important role in determining whether your scores trend upward or slip downward. If you consistently make good credit decisions, your scores will trend upward over time. Reviewing your credit report helps you manage your credit and gives you a full picture of what lenders see. Monitoring your credit report is as important as reviewing bills and bank statements, as your credit is an integral part of your overall financial health. Additionally, with an increase in phishing and cyberscams as a result of COVID-19, it’s especially important to stay informed about your credit report, so that you can dispute anything you believe may be inaccurate and ensure that there is no evidence of fraud that could impact your score. Are lending decisions based solely on my credit score? No, credit scores are just one factor in lenders’ decision-making process. Lenders consider additional information when making a decision, such as employment status, income and information about a consumer’s assets and liabilities. In the wake of COVID-19, lenders may start to tighten their credit standards – meaning consumers may need a higher score to receive a loan. Because of this, it is important to be proactive and take action to mitigate any potential negative impact on your credit score. If you’re worried you may miss a payment, contact your lender to discuss your options. Through April 2021, Experian has partnered with our peer credit bureaus to offer a weekly free credit score at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/. This additional measure will allow consumers to access their credit reports frequently and talk to their lenders with the most updated information possible. How are credit bureaus working with the government during COVID-19? At Experian, we fully supported the signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which provides relief to Americans through expanded unemployment coverage and by providing grants and loans to small businesses. The CARES Act also provided important guidance to lenders about how to work with consumers affected by COVID-19. Experian is working with lenders to ensure appropriate accommodations are made to protect consumers. Additionally, the credit reporting industry has developed reporting standards for lenders to use during emergency periods, such as COVID-19. These reporting standards allow lenders flexibility when reporting accommodations made to consumers who are experiencing hardships due to the pandemic. For additional questions regarding COVID-19 debt and credit relief options, view Experian’s full list of financial and non-financial institutions’ websites where you can find information on relief measures: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Credit Card and Debt Relief.    

We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of a 60% stake in Arvato Financial Solutions Risk Management Division (AFS RM), expanding our presence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) and bringing Germany’s second largest credit bureau into Experian.  It is an incredibly exciting moment for us both and marks a significant step forward in Experian EMEA’s growth ambitions.        Together, we form a powerful new partnership in Europe’s economic powerhouse. With AFS RM’s local expertise and sector knowledge of industries like e-commerce, telecoms and insurance, and our global experience and innovation in data, analytics, software, and technology platforms, we will redefine what’s possible for our customers.     AFS RM brings market presence with high-quality risk, fraud and identity management products and solutions tailored for key industries.   We bring scale, expertise, and innovative products like Experian One and Ascend Analytics on Demand.  Together, we will offer the best new technologies into these markets, delivering broad coverage and innovation that enables existing and new customers to make better, faster decisions, ultimately delivering greater access to finance for people across the region.     Our new partnership will be branded Experian, which is just one of the ways we’re welcoming AFS RM to the Experian family.  I’m delighted it will be led by Kai Kalchthaler as CEO, Experian DACH, who will ensure we help businesses find and fulfill their potential, so they can go further with us.  Watch how we’re redefining possible, today, tomorrow, together here.     

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Patients use self-service tools to easily connect with providers online and manage administrative tasks 24/7. Common patient self-service tools include patient portals, online scheduling and mobile registration. Self-service solutions also include robust financial tools that help patients update insurance information, get accurate estimates, apply for charity care, set up payment plans, combine payments to multiple providers or set up a fundraising page.   Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32. Heading 2 Related Posts

Amid some of the financial challenges that underserved communities experience, members across the financial services community remain committed to championing initiatives and programs that drive greater financial inclusion. In fact, collaboration has led to the inclusion of non-debt related payment information on consumers’ credit profiles, as well as digital services that make it easier to manage money. These efforts have helped to broaden access to fair and affordable financial resources for more individuals. While significant progress has been made, there is still more work to do. However, some of the misconceptions and myths about the financial services community are hindering further advancement. Debunking these myths will accelerate progress by building trust between the financial services community and consumers. Person withdrawing money from ATM contactless Myth #1: “Financial institutions have no interest in underserved consumers or credit invisibles.” The truth is, banks and credit unions want to say “yes” to more prospective borrowers, including individuals and families from underserved communities. Beyond being the right thing to do, it’s an opportunity to potentially build lifelong relationships with a relatively untapped market. A show of good faith to communities who have largely been ignored by the financial system could lead to customer loyalty that may extend to their family and friends. That’s why participants across the financial ecosystem have been proponents of including expanded data sources—such as on-time telecom, utility and video streaming service payments—on to consumer credit reports, as well as exploring other Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-regulated data sources, including payment data on short-term small dollar loans and expanded public records data. Making this data more accessible to lenders provides a more comprehensive view of a consumer’s ability and willingness to repay outstanding debt—an actionable solution to extending credit to consumers without lenders taking on additional risk. Myth #2: “There is a lack of trustworthy financial education resources.” The financial services community and affiliated organizations recognize that empowering people with financial knowledge and skillset are critical to consumers’ financial success. In fact, banks and credit unions are partnering with nonprofits and non-governmental organizations to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities within specific communities and provide relevant tools and resources. For example, Experian’s B.A.L.L. for Life (Be A Legacy Leader) program, launched in partnership with the National Urban League, serves as a catalyst for engaging with Black communities and low-income youth through live events and digital financial education. Subject matter experts, professional athletes, celebrities, and other influencers share their experiences and expertise, covering topics such as banking, credit, financial management and investing. In addition, to help people improve their financial management, Experian partners with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). The NFCC connects consumers with certified financial counselors to help them address various pain points, including debt management, homeownership, student loans or small business cash flow issues. Myth #3: “Underserved communities have few opportunities to build credit and enter the mainstream financial system.” People from underserved communities, as well as younger consumers and recent immigrants are often excluded from the mainstream financial system because they lack an extensive credit history. Historically, it’s created a vicious cycle; in order to get credit, you have to have credit. Fortunately, there has been a sea change in innovative solutions to address the specific needs of these populations. These include new credit scoring models and microfinancing which provide financial services to individuals who may have been excluded from traditional banking systems. In addition, by incorporating expanded data sources, such as telecom, utility and residential rental payments onto credit reports, lenders have more visibility into consumers who may have been excluded by traditional credit scoring methods.These programs help individuals and families from underserved communities establish and build a credit history that could enable loans, or the ability to rent an apartment or open their dream business. An example is Experian Boost®, a free feature that allows Experian members to contribute their history of making utility, cellphone, insurance, residential rent and video streaming service payments directly into their Experian credit profile. By incorporating nontraditional credit data like paying utility bills on time, online banking transactions, rental payments and verified income data, more people can establish a credit profile that can potentially qualify them for a loan. More Inclusion, Fewer Myths It’s encouraging that community organizations and banks are beginning to see the economic and social benefits of aligning on financial literacy and inclusion. As more initiatives come online, underserved populations will be able to establish a better financial foundation. Then, we can declare the myths to be history.