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
Experian is all about turning insights into action… using data for good. Our commitment is to work with our clients, consumers, non-profits and other parties to help ensure that we, as a company and within society, continue to properly leverage big data for good. As part of that effort, every other week we bring you Experian Insights – a round-up of news and resources highlighting how data is used for positive business, consumer and societal actions in many ways and across multiple sectors. Experian Insights in the News Data Scientists In Demand: Experian DataLab’s Eric Haller Weighs In – Dataversity Bloomberg BNA story highlights Experian's innovative approach of using social media as a form of data – Bloomberg BNA How to land a high-paying data science job (even if you have the wrong background) – Inc. The Effects of Dirty Email Data – Direct Marketing News Putting big data to work for good causes – The Hub Experian recognized as a finalist for Cloudera’s 2015 Data Impact awards – Experian News blog The science behind Big Data – Analytic Bridge The science behind Big Data – Inside Big Data Experian's data-first marketing suite – The Hub Data is today's MarTech purchase driver – Direct Marketing News How Experian is using Big Data -Information Management How Experian is using Big Data – Data Science Central Smart cities of the future – The Hill Q&A: Improving decision-making and increasing value using Big Data analytics – Financier Worldwide Magazine Overcome these three common data barriers for mobile marketing success – iMedia Connection Still drowning in Big Data, and starving for insights – Inc. Big Data: The force that's good for consumers and society – Experian News blog Why a single customer view is the foundation for marketing success – eMC New O.C. program helps homeless people fix their credit – The Orange County Register Focus on customers, not technology – Adexchanger Device intelligence and Big Data linkage: guarding consumer access points from the fraudsters – Black Swan Small business, job creation, and why we should lend to young companies – Forbes Using data to manage the cost of healthcare – Experian News blog What’s Bigger than Big Data – AdExchanger “It’s not about the cloud; it’s about the customer” Emad Georgy of Experian Marketing Services [Retweet] Mobile Payments: Innovative, but with Security Concerns – Mobile Payments Today The Data Breach Resolution group releases study about payment card breaches addressing concerns over new payment technologies & security. [Retweet] Everything You Need to Know to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft – His and Her Money Whether you want to learn how to prevent identity theft from happening to you, or you want to learn what steps to take if it happens to you, take a listen. [Retweet] Dealers Might Not See Much Green with Alternative Vehicles – Auto Remarketing Insight into the different segments of the vehicle market allows consumers to paint a clearer picture of what options are most popular. [Retweet] Experian Credit Tracker for iOS: Handsome, Intuitive, Secure- Mac Observer Experian puts your credit data at your fingertips with its new app. [Retweet] What is a Data Scientist? #DataTalk To be a a data scientist (at least a good one), you need to follow the data. – Dr. Michael Wu [Retweet]
Do you know the requirements of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) section 623? How accurate is your data? How do you know? These are the questions data furnishers should be asking themselves as they start thinking about how to meet their regulatory obligations related to data accuracy. Minimizing regulatory risk and exposure is certainly top of mind for anyone that is engaged in the credit eco-system – the lender, the credit bureau, the consumer. While heavy fines and penalties can take a toll on an organization’s checkbook, the reputational impact to the company’s brand and customer experience can have a lingering, and often worsening, effect. It’s important to think about the consequences of inaccurate credit data from the consumer perspective; inaccuracies can have an impact on a consumer getting a job, buying his or her first home, or getting a low interest rate. Experian® understands the value of an accurate credit report. We have the ability to help data furnishers not only understand regulatory requirements, but help to drive a positive experience for the consumer through Experian Data Integrity ServicesSM. Hear more about our products and services that provide robust data-quality analysis. What do the FCRA furnisher rules really mean? Why does it matter? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) section 623 mandates that when providing consumer credit information to the credit bureaus, data furnishers (regardless of size) must ensure accuracy and completeness. Without this, financial institutions will experience more regulatory pressure, higher dispute volumes and unhappy customers. While ensuring data accuracy and completeness may seem like a very broad mandate that can be a bit overwhelming, Experian can help. The first step to compliance is to understanding what the rules mean and the reasons behind them. During our Vision 2015 session, Experian will break down section 623 of the FCRA and describe the specific obligations of data furnishers related to sending accurate data to the credit bureaus, correcting errors, and what it means to investigate and understand disputes. See Experian Data Integrity Services in action during a live demo of our dashboard which provides financial institutions with a deeper understanding of their disputes and how they compare to their peers and the industry. Not only has the FCRA set requirements on dispute investigation and response, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also is paying close attention. Recent announcements indicate that the CFPB wants more information about the credit eco-system to gain more data about consumer disputes. At Experian we understand the complexities that exist with a dispute and partner with financial institutions and regulatory agencies to shed more light on why a consumer disputes data on their credit report and how together we can resolve the issues and improve the customer experience. Join this Vision 2015 session to hear about Experian’s National Credit Assistance Center (NCAC) and how the team assists consumers with disputes and dedicated fraud assistance. Our agents had conversations with consumers more than 2.5 million times last year. The NCAC’s highly skilled and knowledgeable agents know that their role goes beyond processing disputes — it has been proven that educated consumers are more creditworthy and have higher credit scores than those without credit education. For that reason, for many years our center has employed a Stop the Clock philosophy where agent performance is measured on how well he or she assists a consumer and not how long a call takes. Our agents understand that calling a credit bureau can be intimidating so they deliver red carpet service,—making sure the consumer understands the process and walks them through any concerns and questions they have about their credit report. When it comes to data accuracy, the NCAC management team has more than 100 years combined of credit bureau experience and is dedicated to working in partnership with data furnishers in data accuracy and dispute processing initiatives. They routinely work with data furnishers on issues such as training, processes and procedures and offer consultative expertise. Hear more about how the NCAC makes a difference for Experian’s clients and for their customers. Remember… Data accuracy is more important the ever. Get a copy of the FCRA booklet, read about data-furnisher obligations, and start testing and sampling data right away. Learn more about how Experian Data Integrity Services can help validate data accuracy and provide insight into disputes. Consider visiting the NCAC to see firsthand how the Experian team assists with disputes, truly “stops the clock,” and goes above and beyond for our clients’ customers.
The following article is a guest post from Laura Levine, president and CEO of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy® As we wrap up another Financial Literacy Month, it’s fun to look back at how far we’ve come; important to look forward at how much further we have to go; and compelling to look closely at how we’re making a difference. A decade and a half ago, the National Endowment for Financial Education established “Financial Literacy for Youth Day” in conjunction with its High School Financial Planning Program. Recognizing the groundswell of support beginning to build for financial literacy, NEFE turned the idea over to Jump$tart to promote April among its national partners first as “Financial Literacy for Youth Month” and later as simply “Financial Literacy Month.” Congress recognized it officially with a resolution in 2003 and more recently, the month has also been recognized as “National Financial Capability Month.” By any name, it’s been gratifying to see individuals and organizations across the country, united as we’ve raised awareness on the importance of financial literacy or capability, and the need for more and better financial education. It’s been particularly encouraging to see the renewed focus on financial literacy for young people. President Obama’s current advisory council is officially the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans. Other prominent entities, including the 22-agency Financial Literacy and Education Commission and the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy; have placed heavy emphasis on financial literacy for youth. Experian was at the table as Jump$tart was forming—two decades ago—on the notion that we should educate young people about money before they start making independent financial decisions as adult consumers and are sometimes required to learn by trial and costly error. And while many experts agree that the best financial education starts at home, there is also widespread recognition that not all families can or will provide their own children with a sufficient introduction to money management and that we must all work together to help provide financial education to students in school, after school, at home and in their communities. In the early days of Jump$tart and the concerted financial literacy movement, much of our energy focused on what students needed to know about money and what skills they needed to develop. Consequently, we saw a rush to develop new programs and materials and assess how much students actually knew. We found it wasn’t much. We had our work cut out for us; but we knew we had started down the right path. At the dawn of the 21st Century, innovators sought ways to utilize technology as a means of delivering financial education to more students and adults alike—to deliver it faster; more efficiently. We watched as technology made financial education more interactive, more engaging, and, presumably, more effective. Financial education was getting better and we were reaching more students; but still, there was much to be done. In recent years, Jump$tart turned a good deal of its attention to the support of classroom educators—the talented and dedicated teachers who bring personal finance to life in their classrooms every day—because isn’t it an effective teacher who does more than impart knowledge and know-how? Isn’t it an effective teacher who has the opportunity and ability to affect young lives? That’s what Jump$tart believes. It’s what I believe, personally. Fortunately for us, it’s what our friend Maxine Sweet believes too, and in 2009, she not only prompted Experian to provide us with a generous grant; but also, helped to inspire the first national conference dedicated to the teaching of personal finance in K-12 classrooms. The Jump$tart National Educator Conference, now in its seventh year, has introduced personal finance teachers from every state in the country to new approaches and information, a variety of resources, and each other—effectively giving every finance teacher, who may be the only one at his or her school, a nationwide network of colleagues. Teachers who attended our most recent conference reported that, collectively, they would teach 38,654 students this year alone. Since most will go on to teach for years to come and since new teachers attend our conference every year; the impact will be exponential. Just this April, we were so pleased to have had the opportunity to recognize Maxine Sweet, recently retired as the vice president of consumer education for Experian, with our William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award. The award recognized her unique contributions to financial education, as well as to consumer education in her role with Experian. With support from, and working alongside, Experian and many other partners from business, finance, education, academia, government, non-profits, and other sectors, Jump$tart will continue to promote top quality financial education resources, effective programs and techniques, and support for classroom teachers and other educators—including parents and caregivers. Sometimes, when our critics question why we haven’t fixed our nation’s financial literacy problems yet, I’ve heard advocates remind them that financial education, like all education, is much more a marathon than a sprint. But I don’t see it as a race at all, as even a marathon has a finish line. I think financial education deserves a permanent role in the upbringing of young consumers. Even as we work diligently to expand, improve, and evolve the way we conduct this education, we’ll never really be done; because every spring there’s a new class of graduates and every fall, there’s a new class of preschoolers.
In the wake of some of the largest data breaches in history, which were specifically payment card breaches, we thought it would be insightful to take a closer look at how companies are dealing with the aftermath. We are proud to partner with the Ponemon Institute, a premier research think tank, to release the first industry study that closely examines payment technologies and the growing threat of data breaches. The study, “Data Security in the Evolving Payments Ecosystem,” asked professionals to weigh in on several topics including who should be responsible for securing payment systems and how effective their organizations is in preparing for and responding to a payment card breach. New technologies bring consumer convenience and increased security concerns Executives are feeling the challenges of keeping up with the security of emerging systems. While most executives support implementation of EMV chip and PIN technology, for example, with 59 percent of survey respondents indicating it is an important part of their organization’s payment strategy, they do not feel it is the security silver bullet. Barely more than half of respondents (53 percent) believe EMV cards will decrease the risk of a data breach. However, companies are pressured to integrate new systems acknowledging consumer convenience and preferences. More than half accept that risk (53 percent) and noted that, for their company, customer convenience is more important than security. Reality has set in The recent high profile data breaches have had a profound effect on business and they now realize how devastating a breach can be on company reputation and loss of revenue. In fact, a majority of survey respondents (69 percent) are most concerned about loss of customer loyalty after a data breach and fraudulent charges on customers’ payment cards (55 percent). In looking inward, they also do not feel their company is effective in responding to payment card breaches (35 percent). On the right track It seems not a day goes by without the media reporting on a data breach. This has had an effect as 69 percent of survey respondents said media coverage of payment breaches over the past year caused their organizations to re-evaluate and prioritize security. It’s encouraging to see that this is leading to action; companies are seeing increased attention from the c-suite, with 67 percent of survey respondents saying their executives are more supportive of enhanced security measures to protect payment information. Furthermore, 45 percent of survey respondents increased their security budgets, and 41 percent hired more security staff. Industry collaboration is lacking While companies are doing more, they realize there is still even more to be done. Sixty-five percent of survey respondents said they are increasing employee training (65 percent) and improving or putting a data breach response plan in place (56 percent of survey respondents). Payment professionals also recognize that solving current and emerging security concerns can’t be the job of a single entity. There is consensus on the need for cooperation, with 85 percent of survey respondents agreeing that industry collaboration is critical to achieving a high level of security in the emerging payment ecosystem. And there is certainly room to grow, as the current level of industry collaboration is considered minimal (30 percent of respondents) to nonexistent (20 percent) by survey respondents. The security outlook for all those organizations involved in the payment ecosystem is mixed. It will be challenging to constantly keep up the pace with new technologies and ward off cybercriminals 24-7, while satisfying consumers who value the benefits of emerging systems. The best path forward for companies is to face the issue head on and prepare for the inevitable data breach and their incident response to mitigate the fallout. To access the full report, Data Security in the Evolving Payments Ecosystem, visit Experian.com/databreach.
Millennials are considered the “Me Me Me” generation. Why shouldn’t they be? Aged 18–34, millennials have everything going for them in today’s economy. The job market is favorable, and as the creators of advancing technology, they’re poised for growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the “millennial” generation is projected to surpass the outsized baby-boomer generation this year to be the nation’s largest living generation. How are millennials handling credit? This is a generation unique in its behaviors and mindful of its financial position going forward. The choices millennials make as they enter their peak spending years will have a direct impact on the credit market. This is a ballooning opportunity for lenders, and it makes sense for marketers to design their brand experience to target this generation. However, lenders need to understand what appeals to millenials to reach this group. As part of our upcoming Vision 2015 session, we’re giving lenders the analytical insight they need to understand this generation better. This session will explore housing, auto, bankcard and student loan trends in credit establishment, and how millennials compare to Gen X when they were the same age. Our analysis shows that millennials haven’t fully embraced credit. They understand the importance of building credit; however, they’re adopting bankcards at a slower rate than their Gen X counterparts when they were the same age. Forty-six percent of Gen Xers had bankcards when they were 18–34 years old. On the other hand, 27 percent of millennials have bankcards, which is half the rate of the previous generation. Every generation is different and every business is trying to capture the millennials’ attention. How should lenders go about building trust and a lasting relationship with millennials? We took to the streets to speak to millennials firsthand to give you an opportunity to hear their perspective. Come join us to discover “Four great insights about millennials in 40 minutes” and rethink how you can reach millennials at the right time with the right message.
With the objective of supporting the local community and helping Orange County residents overcome financial issues, we have partnered with the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) to spread financial literacy by providing residents with the insight and resources to guide them on a journey to independence. As part of this program, Experian is offering at no charge its Experian Credit EducatorSM product, a tool designed to provide consumers with one-on-one telephone-based education sessions and guide them through important information related to their credit lives. This innovative tool helps prepare consumers for career exploration, future employment opportunities, home rentals and other important financial decisions. We were eager to strengthen our partnership with OCRM because our company strongly supports its goal of providing the homeless with the skills and resources to become self-sufficient. Within 30–60 days of entering OCRM, residents will work with an Experian volunteer to schedule their session. An agent will provide individuals with a copy of their credit report and help them review, understand and improve their credit score. This session enables the resident to identify any potential issues with their credit report or score, while learning the fundamentals of credit reporting from a reputable resource. The phone-based sessions usually take 35 minutes. A significant number of OCRM members have been empowered with in-depth information to take important steps toward improving their financial literacy. The initiative is part of Experian’s broader mission to promote data for good by leveraging insights from the use of Big Data into actionable solutions that benefit consumers, businesses and government organizations. Experian already has provided more than 25 sessions to the OCRM’s members and is on schedule to deliver 15–20 a month as new OCRM members become integrated into the independent-living and job-training programs. OC Register Coverage: New O.C. program helps homeless people fix their credit By Theresa Walker Back when she was living on the streets and panhandling to buy food and drugs, a good credit score was the last thing Jody Puckett figured she needed. “Credit wasn’t even something on my mind because we were living day to day,” Puckett said of the way she and her husband had existed for six years, mostly living in his truck. “We were thinking about how we were going to get a roof over our heads. And food. And dope.” It took nearly two years with Orange County Rescue Mission’s live-in Village of Hope rehabilitation program for Puckett, 46, and her husband, Devin, 47, to shed that sketchy old life and start anew. Now, good credit does matter to the Pucketts. They are clean and sober, working and hope to buy a home someday for themselves and their 7-year-old daughter. Read full article here. Experian Consumer Counsel: Volunteers Helping People Manage Their Credit
With 90 percent of the data in the world being created in the last two years, now more than ever, we need to know how to get the most out of our data-driven economy because the power of data can be a tremendous force for good in the world. It is with this in mind that we are unveiling a suite of online initiatives that will help businesses and consumers benefit from the positive uses Big Data can bring to the marketplace. Leading the way are the new #DataTalk conversations that will take place as a hosted TweetChat. The first #DataTalk chat, on “What it Means to be a Data Scientist,” will take place on April 23 at 5 p.m. Eastern time and features special guests Dr. Michael Wu, the chief scientist at Lithium, and Dr. Shanji Xiong, chief scientist of Experian’s global Experian DataLabs. Online resources We have also developed blogs, podcasts and a video series that illustrate how Big Data can be analyzed with technology and data science in order to bring powerful insights to consumers and businesses, large and small. These insights can help consumers take control of their financial health and help businesses obtain better bottom-line performance. Experian Insights Blog Insights from Experian thought leaders that discuss the good that data is doing now and the promise it holds for the future. Experian Insights Podcast A show dedicated to sharing concrete ways we can turn Big Data into actionable insights to help businesses and consumers. During the first episode, Craig Boundy, former Chief Executive Officer of Experian North America shares his thoughts on Big Data in 2015. Experian Insights Video Series Short videos that provide a close-up look at how Experian manages and analyzes Big Data and the latest business trends in a variety of industry segments. Our Data For Good initiative reflects the company's belief that Big Data and the insights derived from it are good for the economy, good for people and good for society. The #DataTalk conversations and exchange of ideas, along with blog posts, podcasts and a video series, provides a platform where industry leaders and Experian experts can share their distinct perspectives on the evolving world of Big Data and analytics. As you will see, the many examples of how data and the insights derived from it are clearly changing our society for good. If we work together proactively to advance data for good, with the right process, tools and people, we have an opportunity to transform our economy and the ways in which we operate within it.
A behind-the-wheel look at alternative-power vehicles:
For years, brands lacked the means to create highly relevant and meaningful interactions with their customers. Today, that has changed–and the demand has never been greater. According to Experian Marketing Services’ State of Cross-Channel Marketing Report, marketers from around the world are adopting more customer-centric engagement strategies. With cross-channel marketing technology and predictive analytical tools becoming smarter and more accessible to marketers, they have the ability to help brands manage data, understand the preferences of their customers and most importantly, turn that intelligence into action across every channel at scale. This evolution of technology has created a clear shift in the industry as more marketers look to technology providers like Experian to help them get and stay close to their customers. As described in the report, brands today are more customer-centric in their marketing than they were just a year ago. The report, which leverages year-over-year survey results, highlights several trends: Organizations today are more customer-centric than in 2013 Enterprise brands, like multichannel retailers, are asking their customers to set their own preferences: Brands today are 62 percent more likely to give their subscribers the ability to set their own preferences for branded communications than they were in 2013. Further, they are 89 percent more likely to allow them to select the type of messages that they receive and 48 percent more likely to give options for how often subscribers want to receive those communications. Retailers are 87 percent more likely today to ask their customers to set their own preferences on communications channels (email, mobile, direct, social, etc.) and 65 percent more likely to allow them to set their category and product preferences. Further, retailers are 131 percent more likely to acquire mobile numbers through preference centers than nonretailers. Marketers are taking action to improve their data hygiene: Marketers are 53 percent more likely to execute data hygiene techniques than they were in 2013. Retailers are 13 percent less likely to undertake some form of data-hygiene process than nonretailers. However, when they do prioritize data hygiene, retailers are 38 percent more likely to use a data-hygiene provider than nonretail brands. Brands are leveraging segmentation well beyond simple demographics: More marketers are building segmentation strategies that focus on behavior and lifetime customer value over demographics. Overall, the majority of marketers (25 percent) segment customer based on past activity or behavior. When it comes to email marketing, marketers are 6 percent more likely to execute some form of email segmentation than in 2013. The most popular forms of email segmentation are activity- and transaction-based triggers. Interestingly, the amount performing language segmentation increased the most year-over-year (+76 percent), followed by value segmentation (+40 percent). Marketers are testing their campaigns to understand what works for their customers: Ninety-two percent of marketers are testing their marketing programs to understand customer preferences and marketers are more likely to focus on testing campaign performance in email than in other channels. Testing allows marketers to identify underperforming campaigns and adjust in real-time. For example, marketers testing offers may bring to light that a target consumer responds better to a “dollars off” than a “percentage off” offer. Those results can be used to determine where similar improvements can be made to other channels. Marketers are 42 percent more likely today to view time-of-day testing as an effective test in 2014 than they did in 2013. Meanwhile, nonretailers are 64 percent more likely to claim effectiveness in creative testing than last year. Significant barriers to customer-centric marketing remain While marketers clearly are showing improvement in their customer-centric marketing strategies, only 4 percent of brands reported having an integrated customer journey across touch points. Marketers cited siloed marketing organizations (39 percent) and a product-focused structure versus a customer-focused one (28 percent) as the primary barriers. The research indicates that marketers need to improve in several key areas: Data Management and Linkage: Seventy-nine percent of companies face challenges when connecting disparate data to create a single customer view. Attribution: Marketers continue to struggle to measure results and understand how to improve. Last-touch attribution is prevalent among brand marketers, with 70 percent giving credit only to the last channel that the customer interacted with before making a purchase. A marketer’s ability to collect, integrate, analyze and optimize data intelligently to arrive at meaningful and actionable customer insights is central to cross-channel marketing success and is the key to customer-centric marketing. In today’s industry, marketers have the means to extract actionable business intelligence from their data and can now access how well they can use that intelligence to drive enhanced results for the customer. Those marketers who are struggling with customer-centricity need to prioritize attribution. If they have the ability to show how cross-channel relevance drives customer loyalty and ultimately benefits their business’s bottom line, this gives the marketing organization a clear business case to make the customer, rather than a channel, a top priority across the organization. To learn more about customer-centricity and the state of cross channel marketing, download the report, here.
Eighty-eight per cent of Australians say day-to-day expenses, rent or mortgage repayments, groceries and bills, are the most common roadblocks to paying down debt, according to new research by Experian, the global information services company. Experian research also showed 65 per cent of Australians incorrectly believe contributing to superannuation or saving money can have a positive impact on your credit score. Andy Sheehan, Managing Director of Credit Services at Experian said the figures not only highlight a knowledge gap when it comes to understanding credit worthiness but also the difficulty Australians face in paying down debt as the cost of living continues to rise1. “Australians are more reliant on credit now than ever before. The Australian Securities and investment Commission noted recently that the average Australian credit card debt in 2014 was more than 30 per cent higher than the year before,” he said. “We know that the most effective way to manage credit card debt is to pay it off in full each month however, we also know that many of us are aren’t able to manage our debt in this way2. Our research suggests that about 19 per cent of Australians pay only the minimum repayment on their credit card and five per cent of those people prefer to put extra cash in savings instead of paying down their debt. “How we manage debt has a major impact on our life. While saving is important, it’s also important to make paying down debt one of your priorities,” said Sheehan. Unsurprisingly, one in three Australians who participated in the survey (33 per cent) said they were nervous about their ability to access and manage credit and according to the research, their concerns are justified. Sheehan explained there is a significant lack of consumer understanding about the behaviours that impact creditworthiness, particularly when it comes to savings and superannuation. “Australians are too busy ‘getting by’ to worry about their creditworthiness. Our research shows that Australians are alarmingly misinformed when it comes to credit reports. In overseas markets, consumers are more empowered to take charge of their credit profile, actively manage their credit reputation and use it to get a better deal. In order for this to become the norm here, Australians need to be better informed and more proactive with their credit reputation,” said Sheehan. The new figures show we still have a long way to go. The research shows that only 23 per cent of Australians actually understand what a credit score is and how it is used by lenders to grant credit. Sheehan said comprehensive credit reporting was a step in the right direction as it will encourage people to become more aware of their positioning in the credit landscape. “Comprehensive credit reporting is good news for consumers. The negative credit reporting system doesn’t take good credit behaviour into account. Australians deserve to be recognised for good financial behaviour and this should be reflected in our credit report to enable better deals,” explained Sheehan. Additional findings from the research show: A further 19 per cent of Australians incorrectly believe that having multiple lines of credit open can positively impact their creditworthiness 40 per cent of Australians have up to three lines of credit available to them that they use infrequently 60 per cent of people said their bank is meeting or exceeding their expectations on providing information about their credit profile, compared to just 45 per cent in February 2014 People should also be aware that they can access their credit reports from Experian for free at any time. It is a good idea for them to do this to help prevent identity theft and confirm the accuracy of their credit history. Consumers looking to receive a copy of their free credit report and score can do so by visiting the Experian Credit Services website or for general service enquiries consumers may call Experian Credit Services on 1300 783 684.
Experian’s 34th annual Vision Conference is quickly approaching. This year’s theme of “Think Big: Data, Analytics, Insights, Growth” will be explored through more than 80 breakout sessions with thought-provoking perspectives, best practices and solutions for addressing emerging business issues for clients. Each year, Vision combines in-depth research, cutting-edge technology and expertise from industry leaders to help Experian’s clients strengthen their balance sheets and plan for sustained growth. To help you discover more about Vision 2015, here are a few previews of sessions at this year’s event: FCRA 623 reporting requirements—Are you meeting your obligations as a data furnisher? Learn how to test and sample your data to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Understand the customer impacts of reporting and what it means to report accurate and complete consumer credit data. See a demonstration of Experian’s peer benchmarking tools and hear best practices. Insight into a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for Commercial Lenders As the U.S. economy continues to strengthen, an increased regulatory burden is being placed upon small business lenders. Experian's Government Affairs team will discuss current regulatory trends taking shape in Washington, D.C., and throughout the United States. We will discuss the potential effect it may have on small-business lending, near term. Will EMV Save The World? We will discuss the anticipated rollout of EMV cards in the United States with an eye toward a shift in fraud loss rates and attacks. There will be a review of post-rollout dynamics in regions such as the United Kingdom to provide a bellwether for the United States. Vision 2015 will be held May 3—6 at the Gaylord National Resort in the Washington D.C. area. To register and learn more about Experian’s Vision 2015 Conference click here and follow us on Twitter at @ExperianVision and our LinkedIn Community.
A recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that many people are confused and frustrated about how to check credit reports and scores and they feel they lack information to take action to improve their credit histories. I have to admit that I was not surprised by some of the survey’s results, and I suspect my colleagues in financial literacy weren't either. We devote our careers to educating consumers, financial educators and businesses about how to empower people to understand credit and the role it plays in their everyday lives. But it's a steep uphill climb. As a new federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a relative newcomer to the financial literacy arena, but many of the people working in its education division have years of knowledge and experience in the field. I've met and worked with a number of them, and I have great respect for the focus they are bringing to such an important issue. Many others — in the public sector like the Federal Trade Commission, and non-profits like the Mission Asset Fund and the Consumer Federation of America's America Saves, and companies like Experian — invest in, conduct and work together on programs with the sole focus of helping people become more financially capable. Together we can make a difference More than 220 million people have credit histories. We want to help every one of them gain the knowledge they need to make their credit reports and credit scores a powerful financial tool. Experian can’t do that alone. The good news is that there are many resources and education materials available for people. It takes all of us working together – private companies, non-profit organizations and the public sector – to get those resources into the hands of the people who need them. We each play a part as an individual consumer, as well. We all need to be actively engaged in seeking information and gaining knowledge. The key to success is simple; as a consumer you need to gain insights and then take action. Each consumer shares the same responsibility as organizations to play an active role in their financial journey and to make understanding their personal finances a priority. Organizations produce an abundance of tools and information and make it available through a wide range of sources. But they can’t force you to take it. In our digital age there is no excuse for not finding the information. All you have to do is enter “credit advice” in the search box. It does take effort to be financially well-rounded and successful. It takes time to invest, plan your retirement, manage your budget and understand your credit. But it is time well spent and you can do it! The challenge: turning insights into action Experian is committed to turning insights into action. That idea is at the core of everything we do. Over the last two decades, Experian has committed to being the consumer’s bureau and championing consumers to help them improve their credit. Almost 20 years ago we launched Ask Experian the industry’s first online credit advice column, and it’s still going strong. Now you can join our weekly #CreditChat and engage directly in conversation. Our company also awards financial literacy grants annually. Experian was one of the founding members of the JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy more than 20 years ago. Its primary purpose is to bring together leaders from the public sector, non-profits, private industry and academia to increase consumer financial knowledge — beginning in Kindergarten and continuing through adulthood. Through an Experian financial education grant, the JumpStart Coalition National Financial Educators Conference was launched six years ago. The first of its kind, high school teachers from across the U.S. attend the conference annually and take back what they learn to their districts, teaching fundamental personal finance skills to their students. Our company conducts research to spark innovation in products and services which ultimately help the consumer. Using data for good to spark change At Experian, we seek every opportunity to highlight how data could be used for good. So, to help get you motivated, Experian analysts compiled data to help clarify the traits of someone with outstanding credit as compared to those who could use a little TLC with their credit histories. I challenge you to gain insights that will help you take action and improve your financial capability. 1. Make good credit a habit for the long-term. The longer an account is open and active with an on-time payment history, the more it shows you are a good credit risk. 2. Keep your utilization rate low. To calculate your balance-to-limit ratio, divide the balance by the credit limit for that account. To calculate your total utilization compare your total balances to your total limits. A high utilization rate is a sign that you may be experiencing financial difficulty and is a strong indicator of lending risk. As a result, high utilization hurts credit scores and can cause lenders to be reluctant to extend additional credit. 3. Limit the number of inquiries. An inquiry is a record that your credit report was accessed in response to an application you submitted. Inquiries provide insight into your financial situation that the rest of the report may not. The primary reason inquiries influence credit scores is that they indicate you may have acquired new debt that does not yet appear on your report. Additionally, multiple applications within a short period of time may be a sign that you are having financial difficulties and are seeking credit to stay afloat, or to live beyond your means. Lenders want to be sure you are not in danger of over extending yourself before agreeing to extend additional credit. 4. Keep balances low on credit cards and other "revolving credit." High outstanding debt can affect a credit score. 5. Pay your bills on time. Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on a credit score. To help raise your credit IQ, visit our Ask Experian column, join our #creditchat or tweet us at @Experian_US to tell us how you are tackling our credit challenge!
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.