Many consumers are not aware that the credit industry has established special reporting policies for accounts when a consumer is affected by a natural or declared disaster, most recently of note being the tornadoes in Oklahoma. For example, lenders may report the status of an open account as current, but affected by a disaster (or as deferred, but affected by a disaster).

They also have the option to add a special comment that the account was ‘Affected by natural or declared disaster.’ In some cases, they may be able to arrange for deferred payment. This means they do not report that you missed payments. Instead, your payment history is protected from reflecting missed payments if you are able to meet the new payment schedule as agreed.”

Here are ways Experian and the industry are working to help victims of disasters manage their credit:

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When it comes to credit, who is winning the battle between men and women? The latest credit trends study, released today from global information services company Experian, compares the financial differences between men and women, revealing that, overall, women are better at managing their money and debt.

For the first time, Experian® analyzed credit scores, average debt, utilization ratios, mortgage amounts and mortgage delinquencies of men and women in the United States. While the national credit scores only vary slightly — with a one point difference — other differences between the population of men and women include the following:

• Men have 4.3 percent more debt than women
• Men have a 2 percent higher credit utilization amount
• Mortgage loan amounts for men are 4.9 percent higher
• Men have a higher incidence of late mortgage payments by 7 percent

Below is a top-line look at how men and women fared when compared with each other:

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When Kermit the frog said, “It’s not that easy being green,” he may not have been referring to the automotive market, but he may have been on to something.

Hybrid/alternative power vehicles are one of the smallest segments in the U.S., and have only just recently achieved a little more than one percent of the total vehicles in operation. However, according to Experian Automotive’s recently released Earth Day report, the segment has witnessed steady market share growth, increasing by 40.9 percent since 2011.

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Linda Haran has been selected for her leadership and contributions to the field of mortgage technology by Mortgage Banking Magazine for the development and introduction of Experian’s IntelliViewSM product.

The company’s new interactive, Web-based query, analysis and reporting tool enables financial professionals to optimize strategic planning, uncover new opportunities and improve decision making by having 24-7 online access to Experian’s aggregated quarterly consumer credit data. Data is available for seven lending categories, including bankcard, retail card, automotive, first mortgage, second mortgage, home-equity lines of credit and personal loans.

IntelliView data is sourced from the information that supports the Experian–Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports and is easily accessed through an intuitive, online graphical user interface, which enables financial professionals to extract key findings from the data and integrate them into their business strategies. This unique data asset does this by delivering market intelligence on consumer credit behavior within specific lending categories and geographic regions.

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The used car buying process can be as challenging for dealers as it is for consumers. Both parties want to make sure they are getting the best deal on a car that is safe and reliable. But how does anyone really know what they are getting?

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Ronald Reagan once said, “Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.” A truth that still holds true. In the current economic climate, however, small-business owners have found themselves under increased pressure to maintain profitability and grow their business.

Since its founding in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.

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This week, Experian announced its collaboration with payment processor WilliamPaid, which provides renters in any type of property another option for having their rental payment data reported to Experian RentBureau.

WilliamPaid joins Experian’s growing list of rental payment processors, providing more opportunities and options for renters to have their on-time rental payments incorporated into their Experian credit reports. This is not only another step forward for people who are looking to build credit history, but it’s also an opportunity to build credit history for people who are referred to as “underbanked,” or “unscoreable”.

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There’s a lot of commentary in the press today as a result of a report the Federal Trade Commission issued this morning about the accuracy of credit reports.

This gives me the opportunity to share some insight into Experian’s business and how we actively manage the integrity of our data.

After thoroughly reviewing the FTC report issued today, we believe it confirms that consumer credit reports are predominately accurate and serving lenders and consumers well.

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As the global leader in the credit business, it’s our responsibility to assist lenders in managing consumer credit risk, and importantly, to empower consumers to understand and responsibly use credit in their financial lives.

These responsibilities require a commitment – a commitment from us to play a leading role in helping consumers understand the fundamentals of credit management and how they can benefit from this growing marketplace reliant upon credit. To do this, we continually invest in processes and products that help consumers throughout their credit journey.

Experian has created a long-standing culture of commitment to evolve with the changing marketplace and demands of consumers (and the credit industry). We have a proven track record of continual improvements to our systems over the years, including:

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Thanks to the new online tools and services found at SSA.gov, you no longer have to wait on the phone or in line at the Social Security Administration (SSA) to access your benefits.

Today, vital financial information such as your recorded earnings; social security benefits (or expected benefits), and disability and survivor benefits are instantly accessible online.

The SSA recently announced the online “My Social Security” account, a tool that provides access to benefit verification letters and statements. Signing up for an account is easy, free and secure.

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In today’s ultra competitive world, every organization is doing what it can to not only reach new customers, but, some could argue more importantly, to hold on to the ones they already have.

In the recently released Loyalty and Market Trends Report by Experian Automotive, we looked at Automotive Loyalty at the brand, model and corporate level to see which auto makers were the most successful at keeping their customers coming back for more.

Drum roll please … our analysis found that Ford took the top spot in Brand Loyalty* overall and that the Ford Fusion and the Ford Flex took the top two spots for brand loyalty at the model level during Q3 2012 (surpassing the Q2 2012 model loyalty leader Chevrolet Sonic).

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When I speak to people about credit reports and credit scores one of the things I always do is ask the audience members to raise their hands if they’ve requested their free annual credit report.

Sadly, on a good night only about half the people in the audience raise their hands. A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirmed my simple surveys. Far too few people request their reports each year.

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Experian, the leading global information services company, today announced that its vice president of public education, Maxine Sweet, was recognized by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) with its Making the Difference Award during the organization’s 47^th Annual Leaders Conference in Charlotte, N.C., which took place Sept. 30–Oct. 3, 2012.

Introduced in 2005, the NFCC’s Making the Difference Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to assisting consumers with financial literacy, awareness and education, furthering the NFCC’s mission, vision and programs through a national presence.

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