Tag: alternative credit data

A visibility gap lenders can't afford to ignore Alternative data is often associated with thin-file or credit invisible consumers. But its value extends far beyond those segments. Experian's Clarity Services database includes approximately one in five credit-active consumers, including one in four consumers with prime-and-above credit profiles. That means lenders may be missing important signals, not only for emerging borrowers, but also for applicants who appear well qualified using traditional bureau data alone. Consider two consumers with the same credit score. Based on traditional credit data, they may appear equally creditworthy. But when Clarity data is added, one consumer may demonstrate stable repayment behavior while another shows recent defaults on alternative finance products. The credit score hasn't changed, but the decisioning context has. That's where alternative data creates value: helping lenders distinguish between consumers who look similar on paper but represent very different levels of risk and opportunity. In this Ask the Expert session, Experian’s Julius Heim, Vice President of Analytics Product Build, Innovation and Scores, and Natasha Madan, Senior Director, Analytics Consulting, explain how different alternative data assets solve different business challenges and why the greatest return comes from using them together throughout the credit lifecycle. What that visibility gap is really costing lenders Better visibility matters because every lending decision carries consequences. Without alternative data, lenders may approve applicants whose repayment behavior suggests elevated risk but isn't reflected in a traditional credit file. Without cash flow insights, they may decline consumers who appear thin file on bureau data despite demonstrating strong income and responsible financial management. The result is a two-sided cost: avoidable bad debt on one side and missed growth opportunities on the other. But ROI extends beyond approvals alone. It also appears through stronger marketing strategies, improved conversion, reduced friction and more precise risk segmentation throughout the lending lifecycle. "ROI can mean many things ... marketing to the right people, achieving better approval rates, reducing risk, getting less friction and overall profitability."Julius Heim, Vice President of Analytics Product Build, Innovation and Scores Where alternative data creates ROI Improve approval strategies Use additional consumer signals to recover creditworthy applicants while avoiding unnecessary declines. Reduce portfolio risk Identify elevated repayment risk earlier through enhanced visibility beyond traditional bureau data. Improve portfolio performance Increase conversion, reduce friction and strengthen profitability across the credit lifecycle. Different data. Different jobs. Not all alternative data solves the same problem. Clarity Services can help lenders strengthen decisions early in the customer journey. It provides additional visibility during prospecting and acquisition, helping identify potential risk before an application moves through the underwriting process. Cash flow insights can provide value in a different way. When traditional credit information offers part of the picture, consumer-permissioned cash flow data can provide greater insight into income, spending patterns and financial capacity. That makes it especially valuable as a second look during underwriting. Together, these complementary data assets help lenders improve decisioning throughout the credit lifecycle. They can support acquisition, underwriting, account management and collections while building on the trusted foundation of traditional bureau data. Research also continues to demonstrate measurable lift when cash flow insights are combined with traditional credit information. "I recently did a study with a client where we actually saw a 20% lift in KS [Kolmogorov-Smirnov] above and beyond credit bureau data. Again, the bureau data itself was very predictive. But even from the cash flow data, we still got a 20% lift, which is an amazing stat." Julius Heim, Vice President of Analytics Product Build, Innovation and Scores The greatest value comes from using these data sources together for a more holistic consumer view. Start with proof, then build Adopting alternative data doesn't have to begin with a large transformation. A practical first step is a data study. By comparing current decision strategies with enhanced data, lenders can identify where additional visibility creates measurable lift within their own portfolios. This approach allows institutions to validate results before making broader operational changes. Every lender has different workflows, technology environments and business priorities. A flexible implementation strategy helps organizations incorporate new data in ways that support existing processes rather than disrupting them. Three ways to get started Run a data study Benchmark current decision strategies and quantify potential lift. Start simple Begin with targeted data attributes or proven scores before expanding to more advanced use cases. Build with confidence Scale implementation based on measured business outcomes and organizational priorities. This approach allows lenders to validate results, build confidence and expand their strategy over time. Explore alternative data with a trusted partner Every lending decision benefits from better consumer insight. Experian helps lenders combine trusted credit data with alternative data, cash flow insights and advanced analytics to strengthen decisioning, improve portfolio performance and uncover new opportunities for growth. Whether you're evaluating alternative data for the first time or expanding an existing strategy, Experian can help you identify where additional consumer insight can create measurable business value. Learn more Contact us About our experts Julius Heim Vice President of Analytics Product Build, Innovation and Scores, Experian Julius Heim works at the intersection of financial services, analytics and innovation. He focuses on leveraging data to drive smarter decision-making and support more inclusive financial ecosystems. Julius brings a practical perspective on how organizations can translate insights into real-world impact, with particular interest in emerging trends across fintech, credit, and the use of alternative data, such as cash-flow data, across the credit lifecycle. Previously, he served as Head of Analytics on the lender side and held roles in insurance analytics earlier in his career. Natasha Madan Senior Director, Analytics Consulting, Experian Natasha Madan partners with lenders to drive smarter, data-driven credit and risk decisions. She specializes in leveraging alternative data and advanced analytics to help organizations improve portfolio performance, optimize customer acquisition, and expand responsible access to credit. During her 15 years at Experian, Natasha has held leadership roles spanning data analytics, product analytics and consulting, giving her a broad perspective of how data can be leverage to solve complex business challenges. She has worked with a diverse range of lenders – including banks, credit unions, fintechs and specialty finance companies to develop analytics strategies that optimize customer acquisition, underwriting and portfolio management. Natasha is passionate about helping organizations unlock the full potential of data to improve both business outcomes and consumer financial inclusion.

Consumer visibility is changing Roughly 45 million Americans, or 1 in 5 consumers, are considered credit invisible or unscoreable.[1] They’re working, paying bills and participating in the economy, yet many are not fully visible during the lending process. That creates both a visibility challenge and a growth opportunity for lenders. In this Ask the Expert session, Corliss Hill, Senior Director, Inclusion and Belonging at Experian, joins Dr. Vaneesha Dutra, Endowed Professor of Finance at Morehouse College, to discuss how evolving consumer behaviors are reshaping conversations around financial inclusion and lending decisions. For lenders, visibility matters because confident decisions depend on reliable context and insight. Broader consumer signals can help institutions better understand repayment behaviors, financial stability and consumer capacity. “The benefit of banks using alternative data is that they capture a very significant and new consumer base. That's 20% of the population, 45 million Americans.”Dr. Vaneesha Dutra, Endowed Professor of Finance A more complete understanding of today’s consumers Today’s consumers often manage obligations across a wide range of payment types and financial channels, creating additional signals through cash flow activity, recurring payments and consumer-permissioned financial data. Rent, utilities, subscriptions and mobile phone payments can all provide meaningful insight into how consumers manage their financial lives. What’s changing isn’t the need for risk assessment. It’s the amount of consumer behavior lenders can now evaluate. For example, a consumer experiencing temporary financial disruption may fall behind on certain obligations while continuing to consistently pay rent, utilities and phone bills. Those recurring payment behaviors can provide important context into financial priorities and stability. “These are consumers that pay rent on time every month, pay utilities every month on time and meet many other financial obligations in a timely manner.”Dr. Vaneesha Dutra, Endowed Professor of Finance From visibility to more-informed decisioning Broader consumer insights may help lenders move from limited visibility to more informed decisioning. The conversation shifts when lenders move from asking: “Should we take a risk on this consumer?” to: “Do we have enough information to fully understand this consumer?” That broader context can help institutions: Strengthen risk assessment. Identify financially active consumers with strong repayment behaviors. Support more informed lending strategies. Alternative data isn’t about replacing established credit approaches. It’s about helping lenders build on trusted credit foundations with additional context and insight. Responsible lending starts with better context For lenders, the path forward is practical and actionable. As lenders evaluate broader consumer behaviors, three priorities become increasingly important: Modernize data strategies Incorporate broader consumer signals alongside existing credit data to create a more holistic view of repayment behavior and financial stability. Engage consumers earlier Earlier intervention may help lenders better support consumers before financial challenges become more severe. Create pathways to financial access Smaller lending opportunities can help consumers establish stronger financial profiles and demonstrate positive repayment behaviors over time. The institutions that lead will be the ones that can combine strong risk practices with a broader understanding of consumer behavior. Whitepaper: Bridging the credit divide: income, risk and inclusion in consumer finance Building on the themes discussed in this Ask the Expert session, Dr. Dutra explores how demographic shifts, evolving borrower behaviors and broader consumer visibility are reshaping lending strategies and what they mean for lenders seeking to balance growth, risk management and financial inclusion. Download whitepaper Explore alternative data with Experian Experian can help lenders combine broader consumer insights with trusted credit data to strengthen decisioning, improve risk assessment and support more-informed lending strategies. With solutions spanning identity, cash flow and advanced analytics, lenders can gain a more complete view of consumer behavior and expand access to credit with greater confidence. Learn more Watch episode 1 About our experts Corliss Hill Senior Director, Belonging Business Partner, Experian Corliss Hill is a collaborative leader well-versed in working with executive stakeholders, crossfunctional teams, external partners and community organizations to design and deliver initiatives and programs that create sustainable impact. With over 25 years of extensive experience in multicultural marketing, communications, PR and inclusion and belonging initiatives, she is dedicated to advancing equitable access to financial. Her mission is to drive impactful marketing initiatives that foster meaningful change and address systemic barriers to inclusion and the communities they serve.Hill has been a part of the Experian family since 2021, and resides in Atlanta with her daughter who is a rising 11-year-old entrepreneur. Vaneesha Dutra, Ph.D. Endowed Professor of Finance and Associate Dean, Morehouse College Vaneesha Dutra, Ph.D., serves as Associate Dean in the Division of Business and Economics. With more than 20 years of experience spanning higher education, banking and real estate, Dr. Dutra’s work focuses on the racial and gender wealth gap, financial literacy and financial decision-making. She is an active researcher and consultant whose work has earned numerous grants and fellowships, including serving as the inaugural Tracy A. Pruitt Visiting Research Faculty Fellow at the Wharton School of Business. Dr. Dutra has also been named a Research Faculty Fellow for both the Center for Black Entrepreneurship and the PNC Bank Center for Entrepreneurship. [1] Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Expanding access to credit.

In this first episode of Ask the Expert, Experian's Jeff Hops, Senior Director of Data Platform and Product, and Erin Haselkorn, Senior Director of Analyst Relations, explore how broader data and new signals can help lenders better understand today’s consumers, while maintaining responsible decisioning. Lending is changing  Interest rates, regulation, embedded finance and AI are reshaping the lending landscape. Consumer behavior is evolving just as quickly. But the core job hasn’t changed. Lenders are still making decisions about people they don’t fully know, and that makes data more important than ever. "There are periods where nothing changes, and periods where it seems like everything changes. We’re in the latter … but the core premise hasn’t changed. You’re still trying to lend to somebody you don’t know."Jeff Hops, Senior Director of Data Platform and Product To make those decisions with confidence, lenders need a strong foundation of identity, history and reliable signals. In a period of rapid change, the quality and completeness of that data become even more critical. A more complex view of today’s consumer What has changed is the consumer. Traditional credit data is foundational but can be further enhanced with visibility on how people earn, manage and move money. Income may come from multiple sources, and financial activity often spans bank accounts, applications (apps) and digital channels. Cash flow data, for example, can provide a clearer view of what’s actually coming into a consumer’s account, beyond what traditional records may show.These additional signals can help lenders better understand: Income variability across multiple earning sources Current financial behavior through cash flow activity Digital and identity-linked activity across channels These signals don’t replace traditional data; they expand it. The result is a more complete and current view of the consumer. From exploration to real-world application The conversation around broader data signals has moved beyond theory. Lenders are no longer just asking whether these signals are useful. They’re asking where, how and under what governance they can be applied across the lending lifecycle. Lenders are actively researching, testing and implementing new data sources across the lending lifecycle. What was once experimental is now operational. Institutions are progressing through a clear path: Research Understanding available signals and use cases Testing Evaluating performance in controlled environments Implementation Applying insights in production Today, alternative data is being used in areas like analytics, channel scoring and decisioning, often within governed environments that allow for safe testing and validation. AI may accelerate this shift by helping institutions identify patterns at scale, but its value depends on the strength of the underlying data: quality, governance, context and clear business use cases. More signal, more responsibility As data availability expands, lenders have access to more granular insights than ever before. That creates opportunity, but also responsibility. The institutions that lead won’t be the ones that use the most data. They’ll be the ones that know which signals to use, how to validate them and how to apply them in ways that are fair, explainable and aligned to consumer outcomes. “Institutions can unlock more granular and powerful decisions, but they have to do it responsibly.”Erin Haselkorn, Senior Director, Analyst Relations The future of lending will be shaped not just by how much data is available, but by how thoughtfully it’s applied. Keeping the consumer at the center of decisioning is essential to building trust and long-term success. Explore alternative data with us A more complete understanding of today’s consumers starts with better data. We help lenders responsibly incorporate broader data signals and advanced analytics into decisioning strategies, enhancing visibility into today’s consumers while strengthening risk assessment and expanding access to credit. Let’s work together to build more confident, more responsible lending decisions. Learn more Contact us About our experts Jeff Hops Senior Director, Data Platform and Product, Experian Jeff Hops is a Senior Director in Experian’s Financial Services and Data business with over eight years of experience driving innovation in credit and data solutions. He has led product development for Experian’s Credit Report and played a key role in launching Ascend Identity Platform™, a leading identity resolution platform. Erin Haselkorn Senior Director, Analyst Relations, Experian Erin Haselkorn is responsible for analyst relations for Experian. She has developed an understanding of key marketing trends across a broad range of verticals. Her market research around data strategy, AI, fraud, identity and data management, paired with her broad Experian product knowledge, gives her a unique understanding of business automation and data trends. Erin is a frequent spokesperson and guest blogger.

Since 1996, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued more than 27 million individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) –⁠ a 9-digit number used by individuals who are required to file or report taxes in the United States but are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number (SSN). Across the country, ITIN holders are actively contributing to their communities and the U.S. financial system. They pay bills, build businesses, contribute billions in taxes and manage their finances responsibly. Yet despite their clear engagement, many remain underrepresented within traditional lending models.  Lenders have a meaningful opportunity to bridge the gap between intention and impact. By rethinking how ITIN consumers are evaluated and supported, financial institutions can: Reduce barriers that have historically held capable borrowers back Build products that reflect real borrower needs Foster trust and strengthen community relationships Drive sustainable, responsible growth Our latest white paper takes a more holistic look at ITIN consumers, highlighting their credit behaviors, performance patterns and long-term growth potential. The findings reveal a population that is not only financially engaged, but also demonstrating signs of ongoing stability and mobility. A few takeaways include: ITIN holders maintain a lower debt-to-income ratio than SSN consumers. ITIN holders exhibit fewer derogatory accounts (180–⁠400 days past due). After 12 months, 76.9% of ITIN holders remained current on trades, a rate 15% higher than SSN consumers. With deeper insight into this segment, lenders can make more informed, inclusive decisions. Read the full white paper to uncover the trends and opportunities shaping the future of ITIN lending. Download white paper

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Learn how alternative data enhances credit decisioning by giving lenders deeper visibility into consumer financial behavior and improving access to credit for more consumers.

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The morning kicked off with the buzz of innovation. Shri Santhanam, Financial Services and Data General Managers Platforms and Software, and leaders from Experian debuted the latest enhancements for the Experian Ascend Technology PlatformTM. The demo touted faster automation, seamless data integration, security and compliance, and simplified experience. Resiliency, security and gen AI capabilities are all core components and outputs of the new platform. Keynote speakers: Steffi Graf and Andre AgassiTennis icons Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi captivated the audience with stories of their memorable matches, how they met and their foray into pickleball. From notorious rivals to the pivotal moments that were part of their weeks at seeding in the number 1 position – 377 weeks and 101 weeks respectively. Keynote speaker: Jason SudeikisEmmy-award winning actor, comedian, writer and producer – and also known as the affable Ted Lasso – Jason Sudeikis had the crowd laughing reminiscing his favorite skits from his time at Saturday Night Live and outtakes from his numerous films. He talked about the impact of Ted Lasso and the origin of the “Believe” sign, as well as what’s ahead. Sessions – Day 2 highlights The conference hall was buzzing with conversations, discussions and thought leadership. Some themes definitely rose to the top — the increasing proliferation of fraud and how to combat it without diminishing the customer experience, leveraging AI and transformative technology in decisioning and how Experian is pioneering the GenAI era in finance and technology. Alternative dataAlternative data can be used to holistically measure a consumer's creditworthiness. Property data to banking insights to consumer-permissioned data and more can be a critical part of your strategies to segment, analyze and underwrite unbanked and new-to-credit consumers. EngagementEconomic headwinds and fierce competition in the banking industry have acquisition costs soaring, making it more important than ever to be critical of your organization’s advertising spend. Meanwhile, consumers are trending back toward the convenience of banking bundles, and they expect their financial institutions to help them improve their financial health. These conditions create a unique opportunity to extract value from digital experiences. CollectionsData, advanced analytics and machine learning are transforming all aspects of collections during a time when consumer debt pressure is building. Organizations can harness the power of data-driven insights, predictive modeling, enhanced segmentation and optimized decisions to ensure they have the strongest contact data and best collections strategy to reduce delinquencies and boost recovery rates. See you next year for Vision 2025!