JR TOC Review

Experian Automotive today announced that average credit scores for consumers buying a vehicle have dropped to near prerecession levels. According to its quarterly automotive credit analysis, the average credit score for financing a new vehicle dropped six points to 760 and dropped four points to 659 for used vehicles. Comparatively, credit scores in Q1 of 2008 were at an average of 753 for new vehicles and 653 for used. Lenders also continued to set favorable terms for consumers during Q1 2012. Interest rates were lower year-over-year and loan terms were longer, giving consumers access to potentially lower monthly payments. For example, the average interest rates dropped to 4.56 percent on new vehicle loans and to 9.02 percent for used. The average loan terms also increased, extending by one month for new and used vehicles to a total of 64 and 59 months, respectively. “During the first quarter of 2012, car shoppers definitely found more favorable conditions for their vehicle loans,” said Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit for Experian. “A reduction in average credit scores, lower interest rates and a lengthening of loan terms are all very good signs for the market and offer great opportunities for consumers looking to make a deal on a new or used vehicle.” The analysis also showed an increase in the average amount financed. The average amount financed on new vehicles rose by $589 in Q1 2012, reaching a total of $25,995. For used vehicles, the average amount financed increased by $411, bringing the average total to $17,050. “Our report shows automotive lending is as healthy as it’s been since the market bottomed out in 2008,” continued Zabritski. “With consumers doing a good job of paying back loans on time and the percentage of dollars at risk reaching its lowest point in six years, lenders are able to extend terms and provide lower rates. This thawing of the credit pipeline has been good for everyone, from consumers to lenders to automotive retailers.” Some additional highlights from Q1 2012: Vehicle loans to nonprime, subprime and deep-subprime customers increased by 11.4 percent Auto repossession rates are down by 37.1 percent. Thirty-day delinquencies dropped by 7.6 percent; 60-day delinquencies dropped by 12.1 percent. Banks and credit unions gained market share. Banks grew by 7.5 percent to 40.21 percent market share, while credit unions grew by 10.5 percent to 16.89 percent market share. Complete findings from the State of the Automotive Finance Market Q1 2012 credit trends analysis will be presented today in a Webinar at 11 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern.  Please join us. Experian Automotive’s quarterly credit trend analysis features market reporting data and analysis from its AutoCount® Risk Report, which analyzes automotive lending markets based on a uniform measurement of credit quality that segments markets by geography, credit score and vehicle registrations, among other factors. It also incorporates data from the Experian–Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports, which provide topical, quarterly analysis; peer benchmarking options; and commentary on key issues facing the financial services industry. Photo:  Shutterstock

Experian Marketing Services today announced the acquisition of Conversen. Conversen is a pioneer in developing interaction management technologies that enable marketers to create fully integrated, cross-channel conversations through mobile, Web, social, email and traditional channels. To encourage advocacy and deepen customer loyalty, marketers are quickly moving away from channel marketing and are focusing on implementing coordinated, personable and highly relevant data-driven conversations. The acquisition of this industry-leading campaign management technology further strengthens Experian Marketing Services’ integrated marketing suite and provides even more flexibility, efficiency and precision to clients’ engagement strategies. “As the complexity and demand for more data-driven marketing grows, it’s paramount that Experian Marketing Services stays ahead of these shifts and continues to offer an intuitive, flexible product set that enables clients to engage in consistent, meaningful dialogues with their customers across all relevant channels,” said Matt Seeley, president, Experian Marketing Services. “The acquisition of Conversen aligns with our commitment to invest aggressively in cross-channel marketing and complements our powerful suite of customer-centric marketing services that better connect our clients with their customers. We fully expect this acquisition to have a tremendous and immediate, positive impact on our clients’ programs.” Philip Chischportich of Conversen added, “Our mutual high regard for — and focus on — our clients, along with Experian Marketing Services’ global scale, deep roots in direct-to-consumer marketing and diverse industry experience, made this a win-win for both organizations and our clients. Experian Marketing Services has a proven track record of developing and acquiring innovative technologies, leveraging emerging channel preferences and maximizing return on investment for its high-performing marketing clients. This strategic business approach matches our growth plans, and we’re thrilled about becoming part of their team.”

Experian®, the leading global information services company, today announced that during National Small Business Week, May 20–26, it will offer BusinessIQ Express at half off its annual subscription price for the first year of service. BusinessIQ Express is a new online tool that enables small businesses to improve their cash flow by providing them with resources to better evaluate and monitor business relationships and collect on outstanding debt. “Maintaining cash flow and ensuring prompt payments are challenges that all businesses face,” said Adam Fingersh, senior vice president of Experian’s Business Information Services. “Large businesses usually have enough built-up capital to weather the ebbs and flows of untimely payments, but for a small business, delinquent payments can mean the difference between being open tomorrow and having to shut their doors forever.” BusinessIQ Express offers three key ways to help members manage their business relationships quickly and easily: Evaluate — BusinessIQ Express members can evaluate prospects, customers, suppliers and partners on their likelihood to pay or deliver on time Monitor — Members can easily monitor their business relationships with alerts and notifications of key changes, allowing them to take appropriate account actions and maintain beneficial relationships Collect — The tool offers small-business members unique options that may have never before been easily accessible to them to help collect on outstanding debts and avoid future losses Small businesses can sign up for membership to BusinessIQ Express at the discounted annual rate of $375 (a 50% savings in the first year of membership) throughout National Small Business Week (May 20–26). To learn more, check out BusinessIQ Express.

Experian®, the leading global information services company, today announced that it has joined forces with Moody’s Analytics to create a business index and detailed report that provides insight into the health of U.S. businesses. The new Experian/Moody’s Analytics Small Business Credit Index will be reported quarterly to show fluctuations in the market and discuss factors that are impacting the business economy. “Experian’s data, analytics and tools provide organizations with the services they need to be successful and enable them to make more profitable financial decisions,” said Allen Anderson, president of Experian’s Business Information Services. “Over the past two years, we have published a Business Benchmark Report that provided insight into the credit health of U.S. businesses. Now, working with Moody’s Analytics we are able to take the next step in researching and reporting the impact of current economic trends on the business community, to provide another layer of valuable insight into what is affecting the business marketplace.” The Experian/Moody’s Analytics Small Business Credit Index tracks how businesses are faring over a period of time compared with a base point, with the first quarter of 2011 being equal to 100. The key factors that comprise the index are commercial credit data (including growth of credit balances and delinquency rates measured on a dollar basis) combined with a variety of macroeconomic data (including growth rates for employment, income, retail sales, investment, output and industrial production). The Q1 2012 report shows that although access to credit remains tight, U.S. commercial credit conditions are improving, with fewer small businesses falling behind on bill payments. The Experian/Moody’s Analytics Small Business Credit Index improved in Q1 2012 to 103.2, up from 101.9 in Q4 2011. This is the index’s second consecutive quarterly improvement after it fell during much of last year. The index is riding on a wave of increased consumer spending, which is boosting small businesses’ balance sheets. “The Q1 analysis has shown that small businesses are finally getting some relief from the credit crunch that has plagued many of them since the Great Recession,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The recent improvement in small-business credit growth and quality bodes well for the broader economy and job market.” Other trends seen in the Q1 Experian/Moody’s Analytics Small Business Credit Index report include: The overall health of U.S. small businesses has improved, thanks to rising consumer confidence and spending, but balance sheets are strengthening unevenly. Most metrics of small-business credit quality were essentially unchanged from last quarter, but the average commercial risk score improved on a year-ago basis due to a drop in the percentage of dollars delinquent. Not surprisingly, states where the labor market is healing more vigorously typically are home to small businesses with stronger credit standings. Similarly, small firms in states with high unemployment and lackluster housing markets are struggling. Get the full Experian/Moody’s Analytics Small Business Credit Index report.

Secure and convenient online access to your Social Security earnings and benefit information is available due in part to fraud prevention services that help the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA uses Experian fraud prevention services to securely authenticate and safeguard the identities of consumers who now have online access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information through the SSA’s new online Social Security Statement. The statement is simple and easy to use and provides people with estimates that can help them plan for retirement. The online statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making it an important financial planning tool. In addition to helping with financial planning, the online statement offers a convenient way to determine whether your earnings are accurately posted to your Social Security records. To get a personalized online statement, people age 18 and older must be able to provide information about themselves that matches information already on file with Social Security. Then, Social Security uses Precise IDSM, Experian’s fraud detection and prevention platform, to securely authenticate and further verify the person’s identity. Once verified, the person can create a “My Social Security” account with a unique user name and password to access his or her online Statement. To get your Social Security Statement online, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement. Photo: Shutterstock

Recently there has been one area of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reform that has gained support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the CFPB Director himself: ensuring the confidentiality of privileged information that financial institutions provide to the bureau. Current law ensures that when a financial institution turns over documents containing information covered by the attorney-client privilege to a specific list of regulators — the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency — its right to privilege will not be waived. This guarantees that the confidential information will not be viewed by third parties, including other regulators, who could use it to mount a legal case. However, the law that created the CFPB failed to add the bureau to the list of regulators exempted from privilege. In March, the CFPB announced a proposed rule to formalize protections for privileged information provided to the bureau, whether it is from banks or non-banks.  The proposal also seeks to clarify that the transfer of privileged information to other Federal or state regulators does not waive the financial institution’s right to privilege.  Congress has also been active on the issue.  This spring the House unanimously approved legislation (H.R. 4014) to legally ensure that privilege is not waived for documents submitted to the CFPB.  Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate and is likely to be brought to the floor soon. Photo: Shutterstock