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Recent developments in the pricing of credit solutions for the mortgage industry have raised concerns about rising costs negatively impacting financial institutions and ultimately home buyers. We understand why lenders and trade groups are frustrated and we share in the concern. The system is complex yet there are also blatant attempts by some to take advantage of that complexity by spreading misinformation that makes it difficult to understand the drivers of cost and their implications. Here are the facts: Fact #1: Experian is not increasing the price of its credit reports for mortgage. In fact, the price of an Experian credit report for mortgage in 2026 will be exactly the same compared to 2025. Any accusations that we are raising the price of our credit reports by 50% are simply false. Fact #2: We made a marginal adjustment to the price of our data being used for processing scores in 2026. This reflects increasing complexity in consumer support, continued investments in data security, data accuracy, and regulatory compliance. This includes efforts to include more modern data sources, such as rent, utilities, buy now, pay later, short-term loans and cashflow advancements, among other sources, to more accurately reflect a consumer’s history and use of emerging financial utilities. Fact #3: National credit bureaus do not determine the price of tri-merge credit reports. The cost of these reports are based on a combination of inputs priced independently by multiple parties. Credit bureaus – Experian being one – make up only a portion of that equation. Tri-merge providers contract directly with originators, that pricing reflects our data usage/services, score algorithm costs and fees for services the reseller themselves provide.  Sometimes those combined costs are reflected as “credit reports”, which is at best an oversimplification, at worst a misrepresentation. Experian is committed to transparency in our pricing.  Fact #4: In October, FICO increased its royalty fees for its credit score from $4.95 to $10, an increase of approximately $5 per borrower, essentially doubling the cost of the FICO credit score in tri-merge credit reports. FICO also introduced their direct license program, which introduces unnecessary technological, operational and regulatory complexity for lenders and other market participants (including Experian), placing an even greater financial burden on the industry and inevitably, consumers. Mortgage decisions and credit scores are only as impactful and informed as the data that powers them. And simply put, scores do not exist without credit data powered by the credit bureaus. Credit reporting agencies like Experian operate under rigorous regulatory oversight, unlike score providers like FICO, because the accuracy, security, and fairness of the data we power is critical to the health of the U.S. financial system. Our costs reflect that responsibility, and the continued investments we are making to ensure data accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance to drive value for lenders and consumers alike. We share in the overall goal of making homeownership more accessible and affordable, but that can only happen through pricing transparency and collaboration, not deception and rhetoric. I’ve been in this industry for more than two decades, and I believe our industry only moves forward when it moves together. It’s time we focus on fairness and innovation to make meaningful progress toward a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable mortgage ecosystem that brings financial power to all.

As COP30—the world’s largest UN climate summit—wraps up in Belém, Brazil, the global community is focused on turning commitments into action. At Experian, climate action is not just about reducing emissions. It’s about creating a fair and inclusive opportunities that benefit everyone. We’re using data and innovation to make that vision a reality, and this global summit is an important platform to share and accelerate this work. An area we’re particularly excited about is inclusive economic growth, in other words, creating opportunities for everyone to prosper while protecting the planet. For example, we’re seeing great progress in our agribusiness sector, where Experian is helping small producers access affordable credit through responsible, tech-enabled financial inclusion. This is sustainability in action, where climate resilience and social impact go hand in hand. Experian has also officially launched our Net Zero Transition Plan, detailing how we’re reducing emissions across our operations and supply chain while supporting a fair and inclusive transition. Here’s how we’re tracking: Operations: Progressing toward our target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions, meaning, those we generate directly such as fuel we burn on-site or in company vehicles, and energy we purchase to power our operations, by 50% by 2030 (a baseline we set in 2019), reaching 84% reduction in the first half of our 2026 fiscal year. Supply Chain: Advancing our Scope 3 goal to have 78% of suppliers adopt science-based targets by 2029, with coverage in the first half of our 2026 fiscal year, reaching 38%. These milestones reflect our award winning commitment to climate leadership and transparency. COP30 is about implementation, emphasizing collaboration and action. Experian’s participation reinforces our commitment to harness the power of data as a catalyst for climate solutions. From enabling businesses to measure and manage emissions to unlocking financial inclusion for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, Experian is creating pathways for growth that are future-ready.

Fraud impacts more than just the bottom line. It affects confidence, relationships, and the sense of security that every business and customer depends on. At Experian, helping to rebuild that trust through data and technology has become part of who we are. That commitment was recently recognized when our Commercial First Party Fraud Score received the Gold Award for Banking Fraud Prevention in Juniper Research’s 2025 Fintech & Payments Awards. First party fraud is one of the most difficult types of financial crime to uncover. It often begins with what looks like a legitimate credit application, only to turn into a default or a “bust out” once credit has been extended. The losses can be significant, but what makes this type of fraud so challenging is how well it hides in plain sight. Our teams developed a new model that uses advanced machine learning and blends consumer and business insights. The Commercial First Party Fraud Score analyzes credit patterns and behavioral data from more than 250 million consumer records. It spots early warning signs that traditional credit models often miss, giving lenders a clearer picture of who they are working with from the start. In testing, the model identified 22 percent more fraudulent applications and 33 percent more high-risk applicants compared with older systems. This improvement helps organizations reduce costs, speed up onboarding, and better serve genuine customers. The recognition from Juniper Research is more than an award. It represents progress toward a safer and more transparent financial system. By combining innovation, data, and purpose, we continue to help businesses make smarter choices and protect the trust that keeps the economy moving. Learn more about the Juniper Research Fintech & Payments Awards here.