At A Glance
At a Glance When an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type 2ince the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release ince the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the releaseince the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the releaseince the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the releaseince the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release
Balancing holiday marketing efforts with fraud prevention requires a coordinated approach according to survey findings from 41st Parameter, a part of Experian. The survey results from 250 marketers released today, looks at the relationship between omnichannel retailing, fraud prevention and the holiday shopping season. The findings show that few marketers understand the full benefit of fraud-prevention systems on their activities as 60 percent of marketers were unsure of the cost of fraud to their organization. The survey also indicated that 40 percent of marketers said their organization had been targeted by hackers or cybercriminals. Download the Holiday Marketing Fraud Survey: http://snip.ly/JoyF With holiday shopping in full stride, 35 percent of businesses said they planned to increase their digital spend for the 2014 holiday season. Furthermore, Experian Marketing Services reported that during 2014, 80 percent of marketers planned on running cross-channel marketing campaigns. As marketers integrate more channels into their campaigns, new challenges emerge for fraud-risk managers who face continuous pressure to adopt new approaches. Here are three steps to help marketers and risk managers maintain a frictionless experience for customers: Marketers should communicate their plans early to the fraud-risk team, especially if they are planning to target a new or unexpected audience. Making this part of the process will reduce the chances that risk management will stop or inhibit customers. Ensure that marketers understand what the risk-management department is doing with respect to fraud detection. Chances are risk managers are waiting to tell you. Marketers shouldn’t assume that fraud won’t affect their business and talk to their risk-management division to learn how much fraud truly costs their company. Then they can understand what they need to do to make sure that their marketing efforts are not thwarted. “Marketers spend a great deal of time and money bringing in new customers and increasing sales, especially this time of year, and in too many cases, those efforts are negated in the name of fraud prevention,” said David Britton, vice president of industry solutions, 41st Parameter. “Marketers can help an organization’s bottom line by working with their fraud-risk department to prevent bad transactions from occurring while maintaining a seamless customer experience. Reducing fraud is important and protecting the customer experience is a necessity.” Few marketers understand the resulting impact of declined transactions because of suspected fraud and this is even more pronounced among small businesses, with 70 percent saying they were unsure of fraud’s impact. Fifty percent of mid-sized business marketers and 67 percent of large-enterprise marketers were unsure of the impact of fraud as well. An uncoordinated approach to new customer acquisition can result in lost revenue affecting the entire organization. For example, the industry average for card-not-present declines is 15 percent. However, one to three percent of those declined transactions turn out to be valid transactions, equating to $1.2 billion in lost revenue annually. Wrongfully declined transactions can be costly as the growth of cross-channel marketing increases and a push towards omnichannel retailing pressures marketers to find new customers. “Many businesses loosen their fraud detection measures during high peak time because they don’t have the tools to review potentially risky orders manually during the higher-volume holiday shopping period,” said Britton. “Criminals look to capitalize on this and exploit these gaps in any way possible, taking an omnifraud approach to maximizing their chances of success. Striking the right balance between sales enablement and fraud prevention is the key to maximizing growth for any business at all times of the year.” Download Experian’s fraud prevention report to learn more about how businesses can address these new marketing challenges.
The world of mobile devices is constantly changing—everything is faster, bigger and better, and consumers have become more savvy and discerning about the features and benefits that make their lives more convenient, and in many cases, more manageable. I use my phone to do everything from simple tasks like checking email or Facebook, to downloading coupons, buying movie and concert tickets, to checking my bank balance and making deposits on the fly (which is such a great feature). When it comes to banking, mobile has become a growing consumer trend that Experian wanted to explore in its latest white paper, Mobile Banking: Enhancing Your Customers’ Experience. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in 2013, about 74,000 new consumers used mobile banking per day. With more and more consumers utilizing mobile platforms to conduct business, this paper takes an in-depth look at how lenders have the opportunity to increase engagement with customers, offer more customized products and services with in-the-moment offers and enhance loyalty by anticipating their financial service’s needs. Some key points in this paper include: • Consumers are not only using their smartphones, but their tablets as well. Tablet adoption was slow at only 5 percent in 2011, but increased to 34 percent in 2013. • According to a recent survey from Pew Internet Research, 98 percent of mobile banking customers move between multiple devices within the same day. • According to the Census Bureau, 21-to-23 year olds comprise the largest age group using smartphones in America. To read more about how consumers are banking and being empowered in this digital age, download the report.
The growing prevalence of widely publicized data breaches is sparking a change in the attitudes of business leaders and consumers when it comes to cybersecurity. Board members and the C-suite can no longer ignore the drastic impact a data breach has on company reputation, and consumers are demanding more communication and remedies from businesses after a data breach occurs. As a result, the topic is a high priority facing businesses and regulators in 2015. The Experian Data Breach Resolution group serviced more than 3,000 breaches in 2014, the most in more than a decade of handling breach resolution. While our data breach services and identity protection products assist companies after a breach has occurred, our experience and insights help companies beforehand to plan and better protect their reputations in the aftermath. Today, it’s not just about upgrading your security technologies. What can benefit companies the most is learning from others – both best practices and their mistakes in handling a breach. It’s the small nuances that make a big difference, such as when to communicate the breach news and what to include in the notification to affected parties. Another important step is to keep abreast on what is happening in the cybersecurity industry from the latest malware to hit or what is the best identity protection product on the market for consumers. Knowing what’s coming, including regulatory changes, can impact the development of a response plan, too. That’s one reason resources, such as our 2015 Second Annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, are valued by companies striving to stay ahead of the curve. The paper addresses a number of risks that companies should be aware of, such as the increasing use of the cloud, lack of employee security training and the fresh breach “surface” created via the Internet of Things. My comments and predictions are meant to be a guiding light for our clients and others to use in advocating preparedness as they lead their organizations into the New Year. ”Insights into Action” is a mantra we follow, as well. As we noticed payment card breaches increasing in frequency and volume, we assessed how our products might provide even more robust protection to breach victims. This led to our collaboration with BillGuard, a mobile app for payment card monitoring that is now part of our Experian’s ProtectMyID® suite of features. Delivering valuable information and data to empower and drive businesses is the core of what we do at Experian. Our Data Breach Industry Forecast is a great example of that, and I encourage you to take action – and download it.
How does Experian use data to help people get a firmer steer on their financial lives? In this film, our Experian CreditExpert customer Claire Barron tells us how we helped her get back on her feet, and we look at what’s next for our Consumer Services business.
In Marketing Services, we help our clients understand consumers and communicate in the right way, to the right people. This film reveals how we’re helping global charity phenomenon Movember and Europe’s biggest attractions company, Merlin, to make better marketing decisions.
This film looks at how we’re helping client to expand banking services to new customers. It also uncovers how our expertise in software and analytics are helping financial services providers overcome some of their biggest challenges by making sound lending decisions.
Experian has been named a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register. This award means something special to us. We work really hard at making Experian a workplace where people feel good about spending their time. As you can imagine, this isn’t something that’s easy to measure. Being named as a “Top Workplace” is based on employee’s opinions of their employers. The award validates that what we’re doing is working. It validates that Experian employees enjoy coming to work and like how things are going. When we’re successful with our efforts to create a positive work environment, that’s a big deal. It’s important because it has a positive impact on our employees, consumers, our clients, and our community. WHAT THE AWARD MEANS FOR EMPLOYEES This Top Workplace recognition validates our purpose. People associate Experian with credit reporting, and that’s at our core. However, today we offer so much more. We use Big Data for good, combining it with technology and data scientists to fuel insights that help solve some of the most vexing public, societal and corporate challenges. Experian employees come to work knowing what we do is good for our economy, good for people and good for society. … AND FOR CONSUMERS We manage more than 220 million consumer credit files which brings with it an enormous responsibility. As part of that responsibility, we have created a culture of commitment at Experian – a commitment to help consumers as they learn about credit, use their credit and build and manage their credit profiles. … AND FOR OUR CLIENTS Our team likes what they do and who they work with. We care about doing a good job because we’re invested in both the organization and the work we do. We know that if our employees are happy, there’s a good chance our clients will be happy too. … AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY Last year, Experian employees spent more than 24,000 hours in volunteer time for its worldwide philanthropy partners, helping contribute $6.9 million. In North America, Experian employees raised more than $319,000 and volunteered 4,734 hours. Experian employees in our North America Headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., contributed to important local causes such as CHOC and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We are honored to once again be named a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register. This honor is a reflection of our commitment to excellence and longstanding tradition of creating an enriching and rewarding work environment that benefits our clients, consumers, communities and most importantly our team members.
Today, Experian operates across a number of different industry sectors known as Verticals. The US Automotive sector is a trillion dollar industry. Experian Automotive provides services to every part of the industry; manufacturers, lenders and dealers. In this film, we take a look at how our data can enable car dealerships to identify new customers and match them up with the right vehicle that they can afford.
Why is Experian so vital to economic life? This film explores the role our Brazilian Credit Services business has played in a rapidly growing economy, and looks at the impact we’re having on businesses and consumers in Australia with the introduction of Positive Data.
Do you already have a plan for your holiday shopping game this year? A recent study commissioned by Experian Consumer Services shows that spending confidence continues to recover, with 11 percent of those surveyed saying they anticipate spending more than they did last year on holiday gifts. Respondents plan to spend an average of $757.57 this year, up from $721.96 in 2013. People may be planning to spend more this season, but their means of payment won’t come as a surprise. A dramatic majority (82 percent) planned to purchase either with their credit cards or via a layaway plan this year. Still others (59 percent) plan to pay for their holiday gifts in cash this year, while only 17 percent plan to open a store credit card as a part of their holiday payment plan. While there will certainly be lots of sweaters, games, toys and ties under the tree, just under half of respondents plan to give either an experiential or DIY gift this year (45 percent). A quarter of those surveyed are planning to align a major purchase with their holiday gifting strategy, to truly make this a holiday to remember, while more than a third plan to make merry and gift themselves with a treat (37 percent). Is your spending plan ready for winter? “Oftentimes, people happily overspend in December, only to feel overwhelmed in January when their credit card statements arrive,” said Becky Frost, senior manager of consumer education at Experian Consumer Services. Don’t throw away the good spending behaviors you may have challenged yourself with simply because it’s the end of the year. Be realistic and specific with your budgeting to help avoid overspending, and to keep your priorities in check. For tips on holiday spending this year, see our helpful infographic below. You can also view the complete survey results and methodology here: This article is provided for general guidance and information. It is not intended as, nor should it be construed to be, legal, financial or other professional advice. Please consult with your attorney or financial advisor to discuss any legal or financial issues involved with credit decisions. Published by permission from ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., an Experian company. © 2014 ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Experian Marketing Services’ senior vice president of global marketing, Ashley Johnston, was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award for Woman of the Year in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations at the 11th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business on Friday, Nov. 14, in New York City. Johnston was also recognized with a Silver Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year for Business Services Companies with more than 2,500 employees. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are the world’s top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees and the organizations they run. All individuals and organizations worldwide are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. The 2014 awards received entries from 22 nations and territories. More than 1,200 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in more than 90 categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year, Company of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Women Helping Women, and Communications Campaign of the Year, among others. “This is a well-deserved honor for Ashley and a testament to her ability to inspire and empower our organization to have a positive impact each and every day,” said Matt Seeley, president, North America, Experian Marketing Services. “Throughout the 12 years she’s been with Experian, Ashley’s initiatives have accelerated Experian Marketing Services’ go-to-market strategy globally and evangelized our employees around our brand while also placing our clients directly in the center of our business and growth.” Over the past year, Johnston successfully led a global initiative to bring Experian Marketing Services’ portfolio, go-to-market strategy, culture and client base under a single, consistent global brand, for the first time. As a key part of this initiative Johnston introduced progressive and differentiated programs focused on driving lead generation, client engagement, awareness and sales-enablement support. Most notably, Johnston led the recent launch of the Experian Marketing Suite, a comprehensive, end-to-end marketing solution that enables brands to create and deliver authentic customer experiences every time, in any channel and via any device. The Marketing Suite showcases the power of Experian Marketing Services’ portfolio, which previously had been siloed into four business units, dozens of products, distinct client sets and cultures. Expressing her gratitude, Johnston added, “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside such an impressive roster of accomplished and exceptional women from countries around the world. This award is evidence of the success story of the Experian Marketing Services business and the talent of my team that continues to inspire me each and every day.” Experian Marketing Services was recognized with four Stevie Awards during the 2014 American Business Awards, all for work that Johnston and her team spearheaded, including the Client Summit, The 2014 Digital Marketer: Benchmark and Trend Report, a global internal communications campaign and the cross-channel marketing platform. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,” the awards were presented to winners Friday night during a dinner event attended by more than 400 people at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The presentations were broadcast live across the U.S.A., and simulcast around the world, by Biz Talk Radio, and will be featured in a television special on Biz TV in January. Stevie Award winners were selected by more than 160 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process this year.
It’s no secret that businesses are what drive the U.S. economy. The exchange of goods and services for business large and small is what our society is built on. But, did you know that big data is actually a driving force in commerce? How, you ask? Businesses rely on data — just as we as consumers do — to form the basis for everyday decisions. Experian has always been at the forefront of using big data, and over the years we have streamlined its uses to help drive commerce for the business community. Our commercial database contains unbiased information on more than 25 million active businesses in the U.S. However, data just scratches the surface of what we do. Our technology, analytical and consultative services help financial institutions and businesses (large and small) derive insights, which enable them to make more sound lending decisions, better manage their credit portfolios and acquire the right customers. In fact, in 2012, we used these insights to develop the Small Business Credit Index with Moody’s Analytics, to provide a unique perspective on the health of small businesses in the United States. For example, our most recent report revealed that small-business credit conditions have improved due to an increase in the total dollars being borrowed, and an improvement in overall payment performance. Payment performance is critical to small businesses because they have a much smaller customer base. As a result, the impact of one customer delaying payment will have a much greater effect on the business than it may on a larger company. It’s this insight that helps both financial institutions and small businesses take appropriate action. Lenders and suppliers can use the information to help mitigate risk and have more confidence when making future lending decisions, and, for small businesses, it enables them to uncover growth opportunities and increase profitability. While the importance of business in the economy isn’t a big secret, the power of big data to help drive high-impact actions for organizations is a relatively unheard of concept, despite it being around for years. Finding ways to use our data for good to help move businesses, as well as consumers, our society and the economy forward, is a primary driver for Experian. After all, the more that business succeeds, the better our economy will be.
We are thrilled that for the sixth consecutive year, Experian has earned a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). This recognition underscores our commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. We are honored to join the ranks of 765 U.S. businesses that have been awarded the HRCF’s Equality 100 Award, celebrating our leadership in fostering an inclusive workplace. Experian’s dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community is reflected in several key initiatives: Name Change Process: We have a process for transgender and non-binary consumers to update their names on credit reports, ensuring their identities are accurately represented. LGBTQ+ Allyship 101 Training: This new training program is available to all Experian employees, promoting allyship and understanding within our workforce. Pride ERG Parenting Committee: Launched to support parents, grandparents and guardians of LGBTQ+ individuals, this committee provides valuable resources and community. Transgender Resource Guide: This guide supports employees who are transitioning at work, offering education and resources for colleagues and managers. Partnerships: We collaborate with organizations such as Out & Equal, GenderCool, The Trevor Project and Born This Way Foundation’s Channel Kindness to provide financial health, mental health and other resources to empower both our internal and external communities. At Experian, we are proud to be part of this movement towards greater equality and inclusion. We remain dedicated to fostering a workplace where every employee feels respected, valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Learn more about how we drive social impact in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Achieving Top Workplace recognition for 12 consecutive years is no small feat, yet Experian North America has done just that. Named a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register once again, this milestone reflects not just policies or benefits but what truly makes Experian exceptional: our people. As Hiq Lee, Chief People Officer at Experian North America, notes, this honor is a testament to the remarkable contributions of our team. Experian’s employees shape an environment where innovation, inclusivity, and purpose thrive. More Than Work What sets Experian apart is our engagement with the world and community. Through initiatives like the Experian Volunteer Leadership Network and partnerships with organizations such as the Octane Foundation for Innovation and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orange County Education Foundation, our impact extends beyond the workplace. In 2024, we earned additional recognitions, including being named one of the World’s Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work®. We were also recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Parents, Millennials, and in Technology. The Secret to Success Our success lies in focusing on people. Experian is a place where careers are built, ideas are encouraged, and employees feel valued. Initiatives such as, Employee Resource Groups foster belonging, Mental Health First Aiders provide support, and technology hackathons inspire creativity. Innovation at the Core Innovation continues to drive our success. By leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, we are redefining decision-making and fraud prevention. This commitment to innovation empowers businesses and consumers worldwide, aligning with our mission to promote financial inclusivity. Looking Ahead For Experian, being a Top Workplace for more than a decade isn’t a finish line—it’s a springboard. With an ongoing commitment to our employees and communities, we continue to evolve, creating better experiences for our team, clients, and the world.
Experian is celebrating the one-year anniversary of The Legacy League Game Show™, a dynamic and interactive event that has revolutionized financial literacy education for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). This innovative program, part of the B.A.L.L. for Life™ initiative, combines the excitement of a game show with essential lessons on credit and financial management. We marked the occasion where it debuted in 2023: at EntreprenUTSA at the University of Texas San Antonio. The Legacy League Game Show™ has traveled to ten universities such as Morgan State and Shaw Universities and major events across the United States. The National Urban League describes the event as transformational; HomeFree-USA calls it a “model for how to teach anything to Gen Z and other generations.” Thousands of students have participated across the country, and more than 99% report an increase in their financial literacy after the experience. As someone whose family didn’t discuss money matters growing up, this impact is especially gratifying. In addition to making learning fun, The Legacy League Game Show™ addresses a critical issue: financial invisibility among young consumers, particularly within communities of color. Forty percent of consumers under 25 are credit invisible, with 26% of Hispanic and 28% of Black consumers affected, compared to 16% of their white and Asian peers. Special guests, including rapper and college basketball standout Flau’jae, comedian and actor Mike Merrill, Louisiana State University wide receiver Chris Hilton, Jr. and Grammy-nominated D Smoke have joined the game show, adding star power and excitement. Next year, The Legacy League Game Show™ will hit the road again, visiting more schools and events. We already have stops planned at the #IYKYK Pitch Competition in partnership with HomeFree-USA, the University of Illinois in collaboration with the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), and the UnidosUS National Conference. Check out the action from our 2024 stops by clicking here.Learn more about Experian’s commitment to underserved communities in The Power of YOU 2024: Diversity, equity, inclusion and social impact report.
Modernizing the conversation around credit and financial literacy is a key commitment for Experian, especially for young adults. That’s why we partner with organizations like the Singleton Foundation to produce “Your World on Money,” to meet young people where they are, with engaging, easy-to-understand video shorts about credit, budgeting, and saving and more. We’re thrilled this commitment and creativity has earned both Gold and Bronze Anthem Awards, which recognize excellence in social good, celebrate the impactful work of organizations and initiatives that are driving positive change. Financial literacy is often not taught in schools, and the language around credit and personal finance can be intimidating. By normalizing these conversations, we hope to inspire confidence and action, helping young adults make informed financial decisions as they navigate life’s milestones. Our United for Financial Health partnership with the Singleton Foundation continues with our new series, the Finance Couch, where college students join our experts on a coach in the middle of a Los Angeles campus to answer their money questions. And our Anthem Award-winning series, HeartBroke, helps couples whose relationships are tested with financial issues to determine if they can work through it or end up HeartBroke(n).
Great Place to Work and Fortune have named Experian as one of the 25 World’s Best Workplaces™ 2024. This recognition highlights more than an award—it shows a commitment to our strong People First culture. Experian Chief People Officer Jacky Simmonds shares insights on how our people across the globe cultivate this culture, staying ahead of the curve through a unique blend of inclusivity, empathy, and a shared purpose. What does it mean to you, and to Experian, to be named among Fortune's World’s Best Places to Work? At Experian, we have long aspired to be one of the best companies in the world to work for, and over the past few years, we have made this a priority. Our journey has been marked by a commitment to putting our people first and fostering the collaborative and inclusive culture that sets us apart. This recognition reflects the common values that we share across our many countries and cultures and the dedication of our colleagues across our business. We spend so much of our time at work, so I think it’s important that every interaction – from the interview process to joining and every daily interaction – is a positive one where people are welcoming, supportive and generally just really nice people to work with. Reaching this milestone gives all of us at Experian some recognition, but also it is inspiring as we continue to strive to attract top talent who share our values, share our purpose and make every day an enjoyable one. How does Experian create an environment where employees feel empowered to innovate and contribute ideas that drive real impact? To fulfill our mission of bringing Financial Power to All™, we need as many voices, experiences and backgrounds as possible, so we can represent our clients’ differing needs. This culture of inclusion drives our innovations. We have employee-led initiatives, such as internal Hackathons that bring together these diverse perspectives to develop products and services like Experian Boost, Experian Go, Experian Smart Money Digital Checking Account, Experian Support Hub, and Transforme-se so we can serve the communities in which we live and work. How has Experian adapted to changing employee expectations since the pandemic, and what steps has the company taken to support employee well-being and work-life balance? We know that our people really value the ability to have flexible work model, so they can work to fulfill their role in a way that works for them. For some this is fully remote, for others it is hybrid so a balance of remote and in office, and for others in office, where their role requires it fully. We know from the feedback that we get that our people appreciate that we trust them and they have flexibility to deal with varying commitments that we all have outside of work. We also know that since the pandemic there has been an increased focused on wellbeing. Sponsored by our Chief Financial Officer, we embarked upon an initiative to invest in how we support people who may need additional support. We are very proud of our Mental Health First Aiders programme, which has trained around 400 colleagues across the world representing 23 countries and 28 languages and helping their teammates access resources. These volunteers receive consistent, ongoing and updated training. What specific initiatives or programmes at Experian do you believe set the company apart in terms of supporting professional growth and career development? We have invested in a number of things that we believe really make the difference. The first is developing great leaders at every level. Today’s leaders have many more challenges, many different age groups, a balance of remote and in person working, together with teams based in many different locations. Great leaders build great teams, so we think it’s important to invest in their development. That’s we built a leadership development portal – The Leadership Exchange – that has a wide range of resources to support them, including development programmes tailored to their needs. We also want to ensure that everyone at every level can develop their skills and progress their careers. So we launched our annual Global Careers Week, Experian University, and built a world-class digital curriculum so everyone can access the form of development they need based on their role or aspirations. There really is something for everyone. This way, we help our teams stay ahead of trends and ensure our business is equipped with the skills needed for the future. Looking forward, what are key goals or priorities for further enhancing Experian’s culture and employee experience? We’re truly proud of this amazing recognition, but we always strive to get better and acknowledge there’s always more to be done. We see an opportunity to make things easier in the way we leverage advanced technologies like AI to further enhance employee experience. For example, more personalised learning pathways, improved tools for productivity and collaboration. We make sure we don’t lose the human touch, but we also want to make the most of these innovations so we stay relevant with our largely tech populations. Being named one of the world’s best workplaces reflects Experian’s unwavering commitment to be recognized for having a great culture where people can do their best work with people they enjoy working with. Learn more about what makes Experian a World’s Best Workplace in the People section of our Annual Report and the Experian Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion, available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
At Experian, we’re proud to observe Veterans Day and celebrate the contributions of our teammates and their families who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This year, we’re especially excited to be ranked #20 on Forbes’ 2024 Best Employers for Veterans list. The list is based on input from over 24,000 veterans who were surveyed by Statista. These veterans, from the Armed Forces, Reserves, and National Guard, work for companies with more than 1,000 employees. They rated their employers on factors like work atmosphere, salary, health benefits, career development, and programs specifically designed for veterans. We’re grateful for how our Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG) supports the military community, from participating in events like Wreaths Across America, Carry the Load, and the Murph Challenge, to building wheelchair ramps for veterans’ homes. The Veterans ERG just completed its 20th ramp last month. With a goal of bringing Financial Power to All™, Experian provides free credit reporting to active-duty members and supports financial literacy and education through our partnerships with Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) and Operation HOPE. As part of our observance of Veterans Day, we invite veterans to join us for this week’s #CreditChat, “Transitioning to Civilian Life: Financial Considerations for Veterans” on Wednesday, November 14, from 3–4 p.m. ET. Thank you to all who have served our country. And we thank our veteran colleagues who bring their leadership, dedication and passion to Experian every day.
We believe that financial literacy leads to empowerment. That is why Experian supports initiatives and partners with community organizations to deliver financial education. We also develop products and services that give more control to consumers over their credit profile and financial health. As part of advancing our mission of Financial Power to All®, we are proud to announce we are helping more than 5,000 Hispanic individuals nationwide by relieving $10 million dollars of consumer debt. To provide families with this boost, we joined forces with ForgiveCo, a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), to administer the acquisition and cancellation of qualifying consumer debt for the selected recipients. Beneficiaries will also receive a one-year premium Experian membership for free that offers access to their Experian credit report in English and Spanish[i], FICO® Score[ii], bilingual educational content, and other financial resources. We hope this effort helps raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy for everyone, and that Experian has resources to help individuals reach their financial dreams. To amplify the message, we collaborated with multi-platinum, award-winning singer and songwriter Prince Royce and you can see his video here. In fact, we have been making a concerted effort the last several years to evolve our educational resources and products to better support all underserved communities. Some of our other activities include the creation of the B.A.L.L. for Life initiative that connects African American and Hispanic youth with financial education, supporting scholarships for Asian Americans through the Ascend organization, providing custom resources for Out & Equal and Born This Way Foundation for the LGBTQ+ community, supporting the NextGen Innovation Lab for Disability:IN, and sponsoring credit counseling for the military community with Operation HOPE. For resources in Spanish, Experian offers a credit e-book and consumers can access a full suite of articles at the Ask Experian blog here. [i] Only Experian credit reports are available in Spanish. All other services associated with an Experian membership are available in English only. English fluency is required for full access to Experian’s products. [ii] Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more.
Even though 26 states now have a personal finance course as a requirement for high school graduation, 40 percent of college students do not feel they have enough knowledge about how to manage money. It’s a challenge that the Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA) Credit Academy addresses with participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A collaboration between Experian and HomeFree-USA, the program culminates in the #IYKYK (If You Know You Know) Pitch Competition and a couple hundred new knowledge ambassadors about financial health and credit. Here, competition finalists share their advice for students as they hit campus for a new school year: MALAYA MELTON, Alabama State University Advice I'll give to incoming freshmen is to try to apply for scholarships. It takes some of the burden off. For me, I took about two years making sure that I got the right amount of scholarships before coming to school, because I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford it. My family won't be able to afford it. So, try to be very serious about applying for scholarships, and apply to internships that also get you money that you can use towards school or your personal development. JAZMIN FELIZ ORELLANA, Bowie State University Don't take out loans if you don't have to. I think many freshmen forget that they'll have to pay off those loans once they graduate after a certain time, and that definitely can affect their credit, especially if they're not able to pay for it. OLUWATOSIN OYEKEYE, Alabama State University Save your money, save your money, save your money. It's okay to go to a college in your hometown. Save as much money as you can, because you really don't know where you'll need it. If you get that credit card, make sure that you're paying all the payments on time. Do not wait till the last minute to pay it. PHILIP OMO-TAIGA, North Carolina A&T State University Budgeting. I think that's really what plays into the whole thing of credit, which is there obviously to help you. But it can also go really, really bad. When you think about what it takes to find that healthy balance, you got to learn how to budget because you may go through a period where you're not working. So now it's like, "Okay, now I got to leverage this money that I maybe have saved up. Maybe think about my credit so that I'm not burying myself into a hole. I'm not working, so there's no way I can pay it down." I think when it comes to finding that healthy medium, budgeting is definitely key. CALVIN CHARLES III, Bowie State University A secure credit card. I think freshman year is a great way to enter college (with one) because you're going to have items and things that you are going to have to pay for anyway. Why not begin building your credit there? I can personally say my first credit card I opened at 18, so that gave me the years of credit history. ESANTE-JOY MCINTYRE, North Carolina A&T State University It is never really how you start, but it's how you finish. Freshman year I might not have that scholarship. But I promise you by sophomore year I had $10,000 from outside scholarships, I had $10,000 from doing pitch competitions, $5,000 from here, from there. So, don't give up on the idea of searching. If you are able to search, you'll find it. Those opportunities and resources are out there, and Experian is just a testament to that.
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.
Experian is wrapping up several inspiring days at the 2024 Disability:IN Conference. We are a proud Presenting partner, and as part of our support this year, we had the honor of being the key sponsor for the NextGen Innovation Lab Pitch Competition. This initiative brings together young adults to develop innovative products or services that benefit individuals with disabilities. It provides a platform for young minds to harness their creativity and technical skills to solve real-world challenges faced by the disability community. This year, we challenged these NextGen leaders to create a product or service specifically for young adults with disabilities that can help them build their credit or improve their financial literacy. Only 10% of working aged people with disabilities consider themselves to be financially healthy, according to a recent study. Eight enthusiastic and passionate teams shared their ideas and the top two vote-getters’ pitched live, “Shark Tank” style, in front of thousands of conference attendees. The winner: Team 7’s “Experian Expedition,” which enhances the accessibility of the existing Experian app and adds new experiences such as an accessible credit card that also features braille; voice-guided, American Sign Language and closed-captioned exercises; and an incentive program for young adults as they reach various financial health milestones with cash back and coupons. We congratulate Team 7 and all of the teams for their collaboration with Experian and each other. The ideas and services developed through the NextGen iLab have the potential to make a significant impact on the disability community, enhancing accessibility, independence, and quality of life for millions. Sponsoring the NextGen iLab is just one of the many ways Experian is committed to disability inclusion. For the third consecutive year, Experian has achieved a top score in the Disability Equality Index (DEI) 2024. This accolade underscores Experian's ongoing efforts towards inclusivity in our workplace, products and services that are accessible and beneficial to individuals of all abilities, including the Support Hub, Financial Resilience Center, Inclusion Works, and the CMO/CCO Coalition. We’re proud our efforts are recognized by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). To learn more about Experian’s commitment to inclusion, check out our Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Making a real difference in the world starts with embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and accelerating social impact. It's not just the right thing to do, but it's also key to our mission of creating a better tomorrow, together. DEI isn't just a buzzword for us; it's at the heart of everything we do. Whether it's in our sustainability strategy or our day-to-day operations, we're committed to driving positive social impact and closing the financial wealth gap in underserved communities. It starts with our people. We’re proud to share their dedication and work in this year’s Experian Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Within these pages, you’ll see how we foster belonging with our teammates, and champion DEI beyond the walls of Experian. From developing products like Experian Smart Money to expanding Experian Boost in the United Kingdom, and launching Advance XScore in Peru, we're dedicated to making a difference in the world around us. To that end, you’ll see we’ve also included, for the first time, our new Positive Social Impact Framework, which will reinforce and help our clients, consumers and employees further understand how we are making a difference in our communities. At Experian, we strive to build a brighter, more inclusive future – for our employees, our clients, and our communities. Together, we can make a real difference.
Caps and gowns. Pomp and circumstance. Loans and debt. As the class of 2024 celebrate their college graduations, more than 43 million of them leave school with a total national debt of more than $1.6 trillion. Some are on better financial footing than others – with no debts as they start their careers – because of early financial and credit education. These learnings fueled ideas for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who competed in this year’s #IYKYK Pitch Competition (If You Know You Know), sponsored by HomeFree-USA and Experian. The challenge: to create solutions that help their peers become debt-free within five years of graduation. Here, finalists share some advice for graduates on how they can start their post-collegiate lives on solid financial footing: OLUWATOSIN OYEKEYE, Alabama State University You're not too young. I feel like most people think it's until you're married or you have kids before you should take your financial life seriously. From your first couple of first paychecks, look into where you can invest. If you don't want to live from paycheck to paycheck, look for ways to grow your money. Take your credit seriously. If you want to own a home, you want to buy a car, these things are important. It's not too early, it’s also not too late to start taking these things seriously. JAZMIN FELIZ ORELLANA, Bowie State University You don't have to start off with a credit card with a $10,000 limit. You can easily start off with a secured credit card. And that's actually one of my biggest pieces of advice. Get a credit card, be mindful with it, don't spend, don't max it out, but definitely just practice and start using it to see if you're actually able to maintain your credit. That's a piece of advice that definitely has worked with me, especially with building up my own credit, which I hope to get soon to 800. MARCUS HARRIS, North Carolina A&T University Always go out and explore opportunities that could first boost your credit and put you in a more financial-free state. For example, with Experian, they have an Experian Boost program that when you're in school, if you have rent, you rent an apartment, you could apply that. Or even the Netflix subscription, you can apply that to the Experian Boost program and therefore you can help build your credit over the time. TAYLOR PAYTON, Bowie State University To college students who are about to graduate, once they get that job offer with a lot of zeros behind it, be mindful of lifestyle influences. Just because you're making a certain amount of money does not mean you have to spend all of it. Be mindful not to keep up with the Joneses. CHIOMA KALU, Alabama State University There's something my sister used to say. She used to say, "Pay now, play later. Or if you play now, you pay later." I feel like if they focus during their youth when they can really do these things and really go out there, do the jobs, focus on paying off everything, getting that financial literacy, getting that financial freedom, and then at age 30 you're already set up for life. That makes more sense than just going through life, just ballin’, and then at the end of the day, if you have to pay when you're like 60? You're still paying student loans? Come on, now. CALVIN CHARLES III, Bowie State University Do not get caught up in social media. Just because you want to live in the city doesn't mean that that's what you have to do. And there's nothing wrong with roommates. They can allow you to reach your actual goals. Every meal does not have to be eaten out. Social media creates a lifestyle that you wish to live, and living in that moment is great, but you have to think about your future and building that wealth for yourself directly afterwards. All of these students were part of the Center for Financial Advancement Credit Academy. To learn more about this program that supports HBCU students, click here.