Experian Assistant Leading the Way in Financial Services: Wins Big Innovation Award

Homeownership has long been the foundation for financial security, stability, and generational wealth. But for millions of Americans, especially younger renters, the dream of buying a home can feel out of reach. We recently surveyed U.S. renters[1] to better understand their outlook on the prospects of owning a home. The findings reveal a surprising sense of optimism: nearly half (47%) believe they’ll be ready to purchase a home within the next four years, and that figure jumps to 67% when looking over the next eight years. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, see a future where they will step confidently into homeownership. This optimism is encouraging, but it also underscores the responsibility we share as an industry to help these aspirations become reality. Data plays a significant role. Why modern credit scores matter Every lending decision and credit score is built on a foundation of good data. And in the mortgage market, we believe data has the power to change lives and turn today’s renters into tomorrow’s homeowners. Recent changes in the industry, including the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Director Pulte’s approval of VantageScore® 4.0 for use in mortgage decisions, are a testament to the value of data. Unlike traditional models, VantageScore 4.0 considers alternative data, including rental payments, that reflect how consumers manage their everyday financial commitments. Now, with the introduction of more modern scores in mortgage lending, millions of responsible renters can have a fairer shot at achieving their dreams of homeownership. For renters, this move is significant. Paying rent on time can be a strong indicator of readiness for homeownership, yet it historically wasn’t factored into mortgage credit scoring. Building on Director Pulte’s move to make VantageScore 4.0 available for use in the mortgage market, as well as his call to uncover creative ways to make credit scoring more competitive and mortgages more affordable for Americans, we recently took the step to offer VantageScore 4.0 for free to mortgage lenders. As the first credit reporting agency to include positive rental payments on credit reports, and operator of the industry’s largest rental database with nearly 40 million rental profiles, we understand how beneficial predictive data, such as on-time rental payments, can be for improving consumers’ creditworthiness. We’re well equipped to help the industry leverage these insights while helping renters use their positive payment history to their advantage. This change is an example of how smarter data can create a more inclusive financial system. A shared opportunity for the industry Today’s renters are motivated, ambitious, and ready to invest in their futures. As industry leaders, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to meet them where they are with modern tools and better data. Together, we can help more people unlock the door to homeownership, strengthen financial resilience, and ensure the next generation of homeowners is equipped to thrive. [1] Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,005 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between May 15 and May 20, 2025.

At Experian, we’re advancing our cloud-first strategy by expanding our use of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver faster, more scalable, and secure solutions. This move strengthens our ability to provide clients with real-time intelligence and deeper insights, while enhancing the performance and reliability of our platforms. By transitioning from mainframe systems and consolidating our infrastructure in the cloud, we’re creating a more agile and centralized technology environment. This shift allows us to respond more quickly to evolving client needs and unlock new opportunities for innovation. A major focus of this transformation is Experian’s investment in generative AI. Over the next decade, we’re developing more than 100 generative AI use cases that will streamline operations, automate complex data migrations, and power new credit and financial analytics offerings. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Chief Technology Officer at Experian, adds, “Having our data readily available in the cloud sets us up to invest in new capabilities like generative AI and advance products and solutions for our clients with proven security.” With AWS’s advanced infrastructure and security capabilities, we’re reinforcing our commitment to data protection, compliance, and innovation. This evolution is about more than technology—it’s about creating smarter, faster, and more secure experiences for the businesses and consumers we serve.

We can unequivocally say artificial intelligence (AI) is single-handedly transforming industries right in front of our eyes. From improving fraud detection to developing AI-powered chatbots to manage customer inquiries, AI is reshaping how businesses innovate and operate. As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, businesses across the spectrum have to continue balancing innovation with ensuring the technology is used in a responsible and ethical manner. At Experian, we believe the dual focus not only drives our technological advancements forward but reinforces our commitment to helping provide fair and transparent outcomes for consumers. We recognize the power of AI lies in its ability to transform data into actionable insights, empowering businesses to make more informed decisions, enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiencies. For instance, we recently launched the Experian Assistant, which is part of the Experian Ascend Platform™. This agentic AI tool leverages natural language inputs to help reduce the time it takes to develop complex analytical models and solve for multifaceted use cases. In addition, the tool allows financial institutions to explore vast datasets and deliver more value to customers.  However, with great power comes great responsibility. As we continue to harness the technology and unlock the full potential of AI, we are committed to understanding and defining the right frameworks for responsible innovation and the ethical use of AI solutions.  Our approach to the responsible use of AI allows us to get ahead of the potential risks instead of responding and reacting. Experian’s governance frameworks on the use of AI are built on intentional and deliberate choices about our policies and principles; it empowers us to innovate, as well as build trust with our clients, consumers and the broader community.  We believe that ethical AI use is a fundamental aspect of our corporate responsibility. In addition to our internal governance, we actively collaborate with our clients and other industry leaders to help shape the future of AI. Actively engaging with industry stakeholders allows to us to contribute to the standards that help promote transparency, fairness and accountability. While we are excited about the potential of AI and its ability to transform the financial services industry and beyond, we are steadfast in our commitment to its responsible use. To realize the full promise of AI, all stakeholders need to be a force for positive change. Related Posts