All posts by Destiny White

At Experian, innovation begins with people. That is why it is especially meaningful that Forbes has named us one of America’s Best Employers for Tech Workers in 2025, ranking us 42nd nationwide. This recognition reflects not only our benefits and career opportunities but also the culture of collaboration, innovation and growth that defines Experian. A Culture That Fuels Growth We have built a workplace where collaboration thrives, and bold ideas are encouraged. Programs such as Experian University, Global Careers Week and the Leadership Exchange portal provide opportunities for continuous learning. Flexible work models and our global Mental Health First Aiders program, with nearly 400 trained volunteers across 23 countries, ensure that employees are supported both professionally and personally. Building Trusted AI Solutions Experian’s culture of innovation comes to life through the trusted AI solutions our teams build. Experian Ascend is a powerful, end-to-end analytics and data management platform that helps businesses uncover deeper insights, make smarter decisions and accelerate growth. Integrated within the Ascend Platform, the award-winning Experian Assistant is an agentic AI powered conversational tool that empowers businesses and financial institutions to harness data more effectively and deliver more personalized experiences. Expanding on this, the Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management provides greater transparency, oversight and confidence in AI driven models. Together, these innovations show how Experian is leading the way in trusted AI by combining advanced analytics with human ingenuity to help people and businesses thrive, while giving our employees the opportunity to work on technology that truly shapes the future. Why This Recognition Matters The Forbes honor is rooted in feedback from more than 25,000 tech professionals across the United States. The evaluation measured flexibility, professional development, compensation, workplace culture and how technologically progressive each company is. Moving up four places from last year highlights the progress we are making not only as an employer but also as a leader in trusted innovation. Being named one of the best employers in tech affirms that Experian is a destination for building trusted AI solutions and meaningful careers.

After more than 25 years with Experian, one of the most common questions I get when talking with people outside of the industry or in my personal life is, “oh, you make credit scores, right?” This is a common misperception. While the terms ‘credit reports’ and ‘credit scores’ are sometimes used interchangeably, at our core, we are a data and technology company. Experian collects, provides and protects the data that makes credit scores possible and helps enable financial power for all. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) recent decision to approve more modern scores for use in mortgage sparked a flurry of industry discussions. Some of the oversimplified sound bites do not accurately capture the value and unique role credit information plays in the mortgage lending process. The difference between a credit report and a credit score Credit Report - Experian credit reports include detailed data of a consumer’s credit history, including accounts, balances, payment behavior, inquiries, and more, and reflect the financial decisions consumers make over time. Credit Score - A number developed by a separate company – such as FICO or Vantage Score – that’s generated by applying a mathematical software model to the credit data Experian maintains. It’s a moment-in-time assessment of creditworthiness based solely on the information in the report. To be clear, credit scores are only as predictive and relevant as the data that powers them. Simply put, credit scores would not exist without credit data. Credit report infrastructure and investment Each month, Experian processes more than 1.3 billion updates and we collect, maintain and secure data on 220 million Americans from more than 12,000 data contributors across the nation. The investment associated with this massive undertaking is more than $1 billion annually. We’ve built systems to ensure this data is current, accurate and relevant so lenders can make fair and informed decisions. We meet the needs of clients and consumers by delivering this data in a secure and timely manner, often in a matter of seconds. As the steward of consumer support, Experian handles disputes, education, access, and we ensure transparency, which are core elements of our regulatory obligations. We operate under strict compliance and regulatory frameworks that govern how we collect, manage, and share consumer credit data. Navigating complex regulatory landscapes comes with significant financial and operational responsibilities that we manage, which is the cornerstone of lending in the U.S. This all occurs while we continually enhance our systems to meet complex and evolving regulatory requirements and prioritize data security against the backdrop of consistent and rapidly evolving threats. While credit scores are essential to lending decisions, the companies that create them are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny and costs as credit reporting agencies. This distinction matters: we are responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and security of the information that is indispensable to powering the entire credit ecosystem. Evolving to meet consumer needs As consumer behavior has changed, so have we. We’ve helped more than 15 million consumers expand their credit histories through our free Experian Boost feature and were the first credit reporting agency to allow for the inclusion of positive rent payments, buy now pay later loans, and more on credit reports — all aimed at empowering more consumers to participate in the mainstream financial ecosystem. Experian data powers the scores that help consumers qualify for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and many of the financial products that move us forward in life. It enables lenders to extend credit responsibly and advances the economy. And it helps consumers understand and improve their financial health. A new inflection point When I joined Experian, the primary credit score for mortgage decisioning was already in use and has been the case for more than two decades. We’ve long advocated for score choice in mortgage and, today, we’re at an exciting inflection point with the introduction of newer models that can use broader data sets. As a result, the new scores are more predictive, more inclusive, and better aligned with the way consumers manage credit in the modern world. As the industry and consumer behavior continue to evolve, we are committed to leading with integrity, innovation, and a deep respect for the consumers we serve. We look forward to offering our mortgage clients a choice in credit scoring models for the first time. Competition in this space is not only healthy, but also necessary to ensure the system evolves to meet the needs of today’s consumers and lenders.

At Experian, innovation and preventing fraud go hand in hand. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new partnership with Incode Technologies, a global leader in AI-driven identity verification. Through this collaboration, Incode’s advanced technology is now integrated into the Experian Ascend Platform™, helping organizations across industries make faster, smarter, and more secure decisions. With this integration, more than 1,800 global clients—from financial services and healthcare to automotive and digital marketing—can benefit from seamless, real-time identity validation. Incode’s AI-powered solutions verify and connect identity elements such as government-issued IDs, facial recognition, liveness checks, and metadata analysis. The result is stronger protection against synthetic identity fraud and application fraud, while maintaining a frictionless customer experience. In North America, Incode’s solutions will be offered within Experian’s CrossCore Document Verification suite, with global expansion already planned. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their fraud and risk strategies with unmatched agility and precision. By combining Experian’s global software expertise with Incode’s AI-powered identity verification, this partnership strengthens our mission to help businesses and consumers build trust in an increasingly digital world.

We are proud to share that The Civic 50 has recognized Experian as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. This recognition, awarded by Points of Light, celebrates Experian’s unwavering commitment to drive positive change in the communities we serve. In the past year alone, Experian has contributed over 71,000 volunteer hours globally, with employees dedicating their time and talents to causes they care about, supporting community organizations through donations, partnerships, and employee engagement. Our employees are empowered to give back through paid volunteer time, skills-based volunteering, and company-sponsored service events. Whether mentoring students, supporting small businesses, or helping families build financial literacy, our teams are making a tangible difference. One standout initiative is our United for Financial Health program, which has reached over 160 million people globally with tools and education to improve financial well-being. This is just one example of how we’re turning our expertise into action. Being named to The Civic 50 is both an honor and a responsibility. It reaffirms our belief that when we invest in our communities, we all thrive. To learn more about how Experian is making a positive impact in our communities, check out our 2025 Power of YOU Report: English  |  Portuguese  |  Spanish

We all have a role to play in protecting our planet. At Experian, we believe that when businesses lead with purpose, we can drive meaningful change—together. That’s why we’re proud to share we’ve earned a trio of honors reflecting our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future: the Financial Times Europe’s Climate Leaders 2025, Newsweek’s World’s Greenest Companies 2025 and TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 lists. These recognitions reflect our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future. Since 2019, we’ve reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 82%, meaning, those we generate directly such as fuel we burn on-site or in company vehicles, and energy we purchase to power our operations. Since 2024, we cut emissions by 30% and 87% of our electricity comes from renewable sources. We’re also making progress across indirect sources of emissions: 32% of our suppliers now have science-based targets in place, with another 13% committed to reducing their emissions. Our method of gathering data about suppliers is best in class; we use a hybrid approach that combines spend data with data gathered directly from suppliers to calculate our emissions from purchased goods and services. This is our second year appearing on the TIME list. The Financial Times list highlights companies making the greatest strides in emissions intensity reduction, while Newsweek’s global ranking—based on over 25 environmental metrics—recognizes leadership in emissions, water, waste, and transparency. We’ve set ambitious, science-based targets because we believe in accountability, transparency, and the power of collective action. By focusing on these priorities, we grow our customers, our partnerships and our revenue. That is doing well by doing good and making our business resilient for generations to come.

In today’s fast-moving financial world, building smarter models is only part of the journey. Managing them—safely, efficiently, and in alignment with regulatory guidelines can potentially add another layer of complexity. That’s why we are proud to introduce: Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management. Fully integrated with our industry-leading Ascend Platform™ and powered by ValidMind, this first-of-its-kind solution helps financial institutions streamline the different stages of the model governance lifecycle—from documentation to model validation. Manual processes, disconnected systems, and slow approval cycles create friction and risk. Our new solution tackles those head-on. Financial institutions can now automate documentation, use and customize pre-built templates, and centralize model governance—all while aligning with regulatory guidelines like SR 11-7 (US) and SS1/23 (UK). And with built-in workflows, teams stay aligned, faster. It’s all about accelerating innovation without sacrificing oversight. As AI becomes more central to decision-making, strong model governance is no longer optional—it’s essential. Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management gives institutions the tools they need to meet the moment: fast, clear, and transparent. Ready to modernize your model risk management? Learn more or schedule a demo.

As we mark the 10th anniversary of Experian’s U.S. Identity & Fraud Report, the fraud landscape is more complex and fast moving than ever. As fraud accelerates, businesses must not only defend against today’s threats but also prepare for what’s next. We’re committed to helping businesses stay ahead of these challenges. Our latest report offers a comprehensive look at how businesses and consumers are navigating this shifting landscape. Key findings include: Companies are using AI to combat fraud: over a third of companies say they are using AI, including generative AI, to fight fraud. And 72% of business leaders expect AI-generated fraud and deepfakes to be major challenges in 2026. Consumers are skeptical of AI: less than 1 in 4 report interacting with AI-driven tools like chatbots, and just 18% completely trust these tools. Fraud losses are rising: nearly 60% of companies reported an increase in their fraud losses year-over-year, with identity theft, transactional payment fraud, account takeover, peer-to-peer payment scams and first-party fraud identified as the top events experienced last year.    Digital anxiety persists: 57% of consumers are still concerned about doing things online, and their top fears include identity theft, stolen credit card information, online privacy, fake/phishing emails, messages or phone scams, and false information. There’s still a trust gap: while 85% of businesses believe their fraud controls align with consumer expectations, less than half of people are highly trusting of companies to address their concerns online. These findings underscore the need for businesses to reassess their fraud prevention strategies to close gaps, adapt to emerging threats, and align with consumer expectations. As a global leader in identity verification and fraud prevention, we harness the power of data, advanced analytics, and innovative technology to help our clients reduce risk, protect their customers and foster trust.  👉 Explore Experian’s fraud prevention solutions here. 👉 Read the full 2025 Identity & Fraud Report here.

With great pride, we are pleased to share that Disability:IN has recognized Experian as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion in three global regions. The company earned Top Scores in the Disability Index® in the United States for the fourth consecutive year; the United Kingdom for the second year; and, for the first time, in Brazil. The Disability Index is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for companies to measure disability workplace inclusion inside their organization and to assess performance across industry sectors. Across the globe, one in six people – or 16% of the population – identify as part of the disability community. At some point in our lives, we or someone we know will be part of this community. Experian’s Barrier Free Workplace Initiative facilitates an inclusive culture across our regions. As an example, our new office in Brazil features tactile and warning flooring, Braille identification, and equipment designed to accommodate all. In India, we've built in accessibility with wheelchair-friendly design, lifts, Braille signage, and quiet zones to support neurodiverse colleagues. The Experian Support Hub empowers disabled people and those with access needs in the United Kingdom to share their requirements with lots of organisations in one simple process, helping them get the support they need. In the U.S., our teammates participated in the Disability:IN annual conference, learning and sharing best practices for inclusion and accessibility. Being recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion represents our ongoing commitment to accessibility, and promoting spaces where each person feels valued and has opportunities to grow and thrive. Learn more in our 2025 Power of YOU Reports: English  |  Portuguese  |  Spanish

At Experian, we’ve always believed that smarter decisions start with smarter tools. That belief has just been recognized on a global stage. We’re incredibly proud to share that Experian Assistant, our AI-powered, agentic virtual assistant, has been awarded the 2025 Globee® Award for Technology in the Enterprise Artificial Intelligence Solutions category. This award isn’t just about innovation for innovation’s sake. It’s a testament to how we are helping financial institutions around the world build smarter, faster, and more transparent models that make a real impact — for businesses and consumers alike. Trusted by Global Leaders The capabilities of Experian Assistant are powerful on their own, but when paired with the Ascend Platform, they become transformative. A recent Forrester study showed that organizations using Ascend realized a 183% return on investment, paying for itself in less than a year. Experian Assistant deepens that impact by guiding users through best practices in data science and analytics. It empowers teams — regardless of technical expertise — to build robust, explainable models that expand access to credit and drive more inclusive decisioning. Recognition That Reflects Real-World Impact The Globee® Awards for Technology are among the most respected in the industry, receiving nearly 2,000 nominations from companies worldwide this year. Winners are selected solely based on merit, scored independently by a panel of judges who evaluate each nominee’s innovation, impact, and execution. To be honored in this year’s awards is incredibly meaningful — not just for our team, but for our clients and partners who are using Experian Assistant to make smarter decisions every day. The Journey Ahead As proud as we are of this moment, we’re even more excited about what comes next. We’re focused on one thing: helping our clients innovate faster, act smarter, and drive better outcomes for the people they serve.