When consumers apply for credit, lenders want to make the most informed decision possible. And consumers want to know they’re being considered based on a more complete financial picture that reflects where they are today.
Credit data is foundational to lending decisions, providing a proven view of how consumers have managed credit over time. But we know credit data doesn’t tell the full story for everyone, and millions of consumers face challenges accessing credit.
According to recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York[1], nearly one in five consumers lacks access to mainstream credit or has damaged credit. Our own research shows 60% of consumers who’ve previously been denied credit or received less favorable terms than expected believe the outcome would’ve been different if lenders had considered their recent income and banking activity alongside their credit history.[2]
Consumer-permissioned cash flow data can complement credit information with a more current view of income, expenses and financial activity. These insights can help businesses better understand consumers and approve up to 30% more applicants on average – without adjusting their risk tolerance.
But what about before a consumer applies for a financial product?
Cash flow insights can create value at many points across the consumer journey, including helping people find financial products that fit their needs and financial circumstances.
Putting cash flow insights to work earlier in the journey
We have direct relationships with more than 90 million members who come to Experian for tools and resources to help improve their financial health. As part of that experience, our members have access to Experian Marketplace, a leading consumer comparison-shopping platform for credit cards[3], personal loans[4] and auto insurance[5].
Now, we’re bringing cash flow insights directly into that experience.
With our Marketplace platform Activate, we’re bringing together credit data, advanced analytics, AI and consumer-permissioned financial information to help create more personalized offer matching so consumers can receive more offers they are qualified for that could meet their needs.
For consumers who choose to connect their bank accounts, participating lenders can incorporate our Cashflow Attributes into decisions alongside traditional credit information. This can help lenders identify consumers who may be a good fit for their products while helping consumers discover offers that better reflect where they are today.
This is an important step in how we think about the potential of cash flow data. Its value doesn’t begin and end with underwriting decisions. From helping consumers find relevant financial products to giving lenders additional information to make more informed decisions, cash flow insights can help create a more connected experience.
And Experian is uniquely positioned to bring those pieces together.
Millions of consumers trust us to help them understand and improve their financial health, while businesses rely on our data, analytics and technology to make important decisions every day. Connecting those two sides of the financial ecosystem gives us an opportunity to put cash flow insights to work in ways that can benefit both.
Building what’s next
At Experian, we’re continuing to invest in ways to make cash flow insights more actionable for businesses and more valuable for consumers. That includes expanding how we use consumer-permissioned data, developing new cash flow capabilities and finding more ways to bring these insights into the experiences where financial decisions are being made.
Ultimately, this is about helping businesses see more of the consumer and helping consumers get recognized for more of their financial story.
As we continue to expand where and how cash flow insights are used, we see significant opportunity to create more informed decisions for businesses and more relevant experiences for consumers.
[1] https://www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/images/v5/library/community-development/household-financial-stability/2026/the-market-for-credit-building-demand-product-characteristics-and-consumer-uses
[2] Methodology: Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults age 18+ in the United States. The margin of error for the overall sample is +/- 2.2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between July 16 and July 21, 2026.
[3] Results will vary. Based on FICO® Score 8 model. Offers and approvals not guaranteed. Eligibility requirements and terms apply. Application is subject to a credit check, which may impact your credit scores. Offers not available in all states. See experian.com for details.
[4] Results will vary. Based on FICO® Score 8 model. Offers and approval not guaranteed. Eligibility requirements and terms apply. Application is subject to a credit check which may impact your credit scores. Offers not available in all states. Marketplace Licenses and Disclosures.
[5] Results will vary and some may not see savings.