Financial Empowerment

By the time Vikki Nunnery decided to join the U.S. Army, she was almost finished with her nursing degree. It was her senior year, on the cusp of achieving her Bachelor of Science. A professor piqued her interest in the military. “One of my instructors was an LPN. She deployed and did a presentation about being a nurse in the army. I came in (to the Army) as a registered nurse (RN) and am now a nurse practitioner,” Nunnery said. Now Lieutenant Colonel Nunnery, DNP, is married to a fellow military member, has two children and has been on active duty for 17 years. Between student loans and credit cards, she also accumulated a lot of debt. “We never talked about (money) at home. My family never talked about managing money,” Nunnery said. “Being married with kids, I’m trying to be more financially responsible for the future.” Experian and Operation HOPE are helping Nunnery do just that. She is a client of the expansion of its partnership, which offers new, no-cost dedicated resources specifically for active duty members, veterans and military families across the country. The program provides financial coaching and wellness, credit education and financial disaster preparedness. The unique circumstances of the military community impact their finances more than the general population. A survey shows servicemembers and their spouses have more difficulty paying some monthly bills and finding economic assistance because of overseas deployments and frequent moves, combined with rising inflation. “(This work) is personal. I’ve been working around military communities for over 10 years. I know the challenges,” said Jessica Hamel, financial wellbeing coach for Operation HOPE Inside Experian program. Hamel is a Gold Star sister and military spouse. Her husband’s divorce and her brother’s passing had negative financial impacts on their respective families. “Often with some of our younger soldiers, younger service members, they haven’t had life experience in terms of needing to budget. We have members of the military right now right out of high school and there’s not a lot of experience managing their own money. They’re quickly thrust into a place where they don’t have a support system to do that,” Hamel said. “What we see at some major bases is a lot of predatory financial institutions – payday lenders, title max loans, pawn shops, buy-here-pay-here dealerships.” "We have members of the military right now right out of high school and there’s not a lot of experience managing their own money. They’re quickly thrust into a place where they don’t have a support system to do that." Without a foundation of money management know-how, as service members move up in rank and earn more money, their habits can follow. Hamel stressed the importance of helping clients establish a foundation of knowledge and provide tools to help them address specific financial situations and their future. “Clients know they need to do something different than the way they grew up, but perhaps they grew up in generational poverty and they’re using the military to secure a job immediately, get job experience or support. They can make a great living in the military,” she said. “They don’t know what they don’t know, but they know they don’t have all the right information.” With Hamel’s guidance, Nunnery has set up a budget and developed habits that have led to increased savings, saving for a house, and a bump in credit scores. Hamel is also exploring whether Nunnery qualifies for public school loan forgiveness. The couple is planning to pass on these lessons to their kids, starting with opening their own checking accounts, and teaching them how to save, budget, and the importance of credit scores. “Without Jessica, we’d still be living paycheck to paycheck. I wasn’t paying attention to my accounts. I was just spending and spending,” Nunnery said. “Little things like a budget, where our money is going - she really helps us focus on these things. That’s really good support.” “We have so many people who haven’t learned about credit and then get blamed for a game they never got the rules to,” Hamel said. “I’m honored to be the coach for this program.” For more information about financial coaching and resources for servicemembers, military family or veterans, contact Jessica Hamel at Jessica.hamel@operationhope.org.

Early in my career, I gained a lot of knowledge about credit. But when I moved to the United States from Brazil, establishing credit was a challenge. I worked part-time in a credit card company call center during college. I come from a humble family, and through helping customers, I learned the ins and outs about credit and money management. But all the solid credit history I built up in my home country didn’t transfer to the U.S. When I immigrated, I had to pay upfront for everything from utilities to a cellphone and it made me feel at a disadvantage. Thanks to Experian Boost®i, our feature that allows you to build credit without debt, and responsible management of debt, my FICO® Scoreii quickly rose to reflect my true creditworthiness. But I’ll never forget how it felt to be invisible when it came to the credit system. Being seen is the first step to equitable access to financial tools. Now that Experian conveniently offers Experian credit reports in Spanish onlineiii, consumers who prefer to access information in Spanish will be able to directly comprehend their credit profile so they can feel empowered. Understanding your credit report is a critical component for your ability to make informed decisions about your finances. As the executive sponsor of our Juntos Employee Resource Group (ERG) and someone who was new to credit in the U.S., I know first-hand that being seen is the first step in a journey towards financial wellness. To help you be informed, Experian also has a Spanish-language credit e-book and articles at the Ask Experian blog. Learn more about my financial health journey and my colleague's through #ExperianStories. i Results will vary. Not all payments are boost-eligible. Some users may not receive an improved score or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost®. Learn more. ii Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more. iii Only Experian credit reports are available in Spanish. All other services associated with an Experian membership are available in English only. English fluency is required for full access to Experian’s products. 

Ball pits, a video game and a neon-pink house might not be what typically comes to mind when you think of our mission of financial inclusion. But that’s some of the ways Experian spent its summer sharing resources and information to empower underserved communities. FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND INNOVATION   The mild weather ushered-in summer early in the City of Brotherly Love, where we joined the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic to launch B.A.L.L. (Be A Legacy Leader) for Life.  It was our second year as the exclusive financial literacy partner. In partnership with the National Urban League, we introduced this program to the athletes and their families participating in the all-star weekend. We also created a gamified app that enables users to shoot hoops using gesture controls as they learn about credit and financial tools. Experian’s partnership with UnidosUS includes support for its Financial Empowerment Network (FEN), a program, which offers free, individualized, culturally-relevant support to Latino families. Our colleagues shared credit education resources and their journeys to financial health at the national conference. We are… financially fierce! As a proud sustaining Titanium partner of Out & Equal, we brought The House of Experian to this year’s Workplace Summit. Hundreds visited the eye-catching attraction to learn about financial and credit tools. We also led engaging conversations about money matters for the trans community and dove deep into the financial wellness of LGBTQ+ consumers and entrepreneurs. To learn more about the gaps and needs of the community, we’ve launched a financial wellness survey in partnership with Out & Equal. COMMUNITY ADVOCACY The mental health and wellness of our teammates is a priority for Experian, and it was a big topic of panel discussions at the Disability:IN Annual Conference. Empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals is the focus of the annual Ascend Leadership Convention. This year’s theme was “I Ascend,” encouraging participants to share how they navigate and succeed in their careers. At Essence Fest’s National Urban League Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, Victoria Crain, Experian’s vice president of global compliance and governance and co-executive sponsor of our Black Professionals Employee Resource Group, shared keynote remarks about courage and legacy. EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION   Building paths towards generational wealth took center stage at the National Urban League Annual Conference. We led a conversation with multigenerational influencers and financial experts on money matters from personal and entrepreneurial lenses, and brought the B.A.L.L. for Life experience to the community. Our support for entrepreneurship extends to the Women of Color and Capital, where we were a returning sponsor and joined a discussion about financial solutions for small business owners. HomeFree-USA closed out our summer by honoring Experian with the 2023 Trailblazer Award and the 2023 CFA Partner of the Year Award. Our innovative program, launched in 2022 in partnership with the Center for Advancement (CFA), trained 250 scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to become knowledge ambassadors about credit, and share what they’ve learned in the program with peers and family. Through events like these, we aim to normalize conversations about credit and make it easier for consumers to access the tools they need for their financial wellness. We are already looking forward to Summer 2024. To learn more about how Experian supports diverse communities, check out www.experian.com/deievents.

At Experian we recognize our teammates are central to our business success. By including people with disabilities in our workplace, we gain their unique perspectives and different approaches to problem solving.  Experian is committed to supporting this community and we are delighted to be named a 2023 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN. For the second year in a row, we earned a score of 100 out of 100 in the Disability Equality Index (DEI), the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool that measures disability workplace inclusion. We continue to explore and prioritize ways to enhance our flexible work environment and engage with those who can help lead the charge most effectively. Creating a better tomorrow extends to third parties we work with and serve. We launched a pilot program called the Support Hub, which gives disabled people and those with additional support needs an easy, one-stop portal to tell organizations what they need to access essential services; it also helps organizations meet their obligations to better identify and support vulnerable customers.  We’re proud to partner with National Disability Institute to support its Financial Resilience Center that provides information and resources to help people with disabilities and chronic health conditions build their financial resilience, and with National Disability Institute and Disability:IN to explore how financial service providers can better support equal access to financial opportunities. Our inclusion in the DEI for the third consecutive year honors the determination, creativity, and empathy of our colleagues with disabilities as we strive to be a great place to work. Learn more about Experian in its Power of YOU: 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report.

Many times during the course of our last fiscal year, Experian was asked to describe its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “program.” We found this difficult to do. Because DEI isn’t just a “program” at Experian. It drives our mission, our partnerships, and our company culture. We’re happy to share our progress in the Power of YOU: 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report. In this edition of our global report, you’ll see how our mission of financial inclusion is at the center of our products and services; how we support our consumers, clients and communities; and how we seek and attract the best talent across the world. Our teammates are key to progress and impact. Together, we drive innovations to meet consumers’ needs, such as Experian Go and our new auto insurance comparison shopping service in North America. The Support Hub pilot in the United Kingdom helps disabled people get easier access to essential services like banking and utilities. We’re proud of programs like Transforme-se in Brazil for people in vulnerable circumstances, which provide scholarships and training in STEM. In the first month, more than half of the participants improved their social and financial standing. Across the globe, partnerships with nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have impacted more than 18 million people so far. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the report to understand why our efforts around inclusion and belonging make Experian such a great place to work. You’ll also gain an appreciation for our ongoing focus on supporting the communities in which we live, work, and serve, and helping consumers achieve their life goals.

Experian research shows more than a quarter of Black and Hispanic consumers are invisible to the credit market, compared to 16% of Asian and White consumers. This is a significant gap that all of us can improve. At our North American headquarters, a group of young scholars took the lead on finding solutions. Four teams representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) visited our campus and shared their creativity and personal stories with us in the finale of the inaugural #IYKYK Hackathon. The Hackathon was the culmination of a six-month Center for Financial Advancement® Credit Academy, created in partnership with HomeFree-USA. Through live sessions with Experian credit education experts and self-paced content, more than 250 scholars from 14 HBCUs learned about credit, financial tools, and how to build generational wealth through steps like homeownership. The teams from Alabama State University, Fisk University, Morgan State University and Shaw University made it to the finals and presented their ideas for the next best credit education program for their peers. Left to right, top to bottom: Fisk University, Morgan State University, Shaw University and Alabama State University In addition to their presentations, what was also impressive was the inclusivity in participation. Just at the finals alone, these student leaders represented six countries, eight different languages, the LGBTQ+ community, different faiths, and more. The “Credit Stingers” from Alabama State University took home the prize, a $40,000 scholarship for their idea of a gamified app called “Credit Rush.” In order to overcome obstacles, students watch a video or take a quiz about credit in order to advance to higher levels. Other features of “Credit Rush” include the “Hive,” a library of credit education materials, chat, daily calendar functions and more. The “Credit Stingers” from Alabama State University took home the prize, a $40,000 scholarship for their idea of a gamified app called “Credit Rush.” Many of the student leaders are already putting what they’ve learned into practice. They shared how they’ve been able to rent their own apartments for the first time, help their recently immigrated family members establish their credit identities, and make decisions that will help them eventually buy a home. They showed immense passion. They are committed to being knowledge ambassadors, sharing information about credit with their classmates, families and friends, making their communities the true winners of this program.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke often about “the beloved community.” To be of service to all and unite us in the act of giving back. This encapsulates what Experian stands for: to create a better tomorrow for all. We’re proud that today, across Experian North America, our teammates will be participating in volunteer opportunities in-person and virtually to address needs in their communities; everything from career development, recording audio books for children, and creating Martin Luther King, Jr. fact cards in braille. One project that we’re particularly looking forward to is helping to design free budget templates for consumers in underserved communities. Financial literacy and equitable access to financial tools and resources lead to economic empowerment. We’ve been able to bring our message to live events like the National Urban League, and support young athletes and their families at the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic as its exclusive financial literacy partner. To further our support of Dr. King’s mission, Experian has also made a donation to the King Center for Non-violent Social Change. We’re proud Experian supports today’s National Day of Service and hope you’re able to make an impact in your communities on this day, and every day.

There are topics that can be hard to talk about in general conversation. Money and how best to achieve financial health shouldn’t be one of those. That’s why we’re excited to announce our newest United for Financial Health partner, singer-actress Coco Jones. She may play a rich social media influencer on the hit show “Bel-Air” (Peacock), but her approach to her financial health is thoughtful, personal and relatable. She and content creator Freddie Ransome have launched their new video series with Experian, In My Bag, sharing how they manage balancing gift giving with financial health. The money series will give viewers a peek into their lives as they talk about the money strategies and resources that work for them. Coco has a passion for financial health and financial security. She is very transparent about telling her own story, and helping people thrive on financial health journey. By sharing her ideas and personal approach in a fun way, she gets others excited about their own journey. We hope watching the conversations on In My Bag spark real conversations with your friends and family about financial wellness. Check out the first episode of In My Bag on Coco’s TikTok, Twitter and Instagram and Freddie’s TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. #IMBExperian

We’re thrilled to announce that Experian North America has been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register for the 10th consecutive year, with an additional “Excellence Award” for our work / life flexibility. This honor is a testament to our innovative employee culture, and keeping connected, engaged and energized as a hybrid workforce. This Orange County Register award recognition is based on the results of confidential employee surveys that assess the performance of hundreds of successful companies throughout our community. We recognize that our employees are the driving force behind our decade-long achievement as a Top Workplace. Our talented team is dedicated to both their own growth and pushing us forward, and we’re grateful for all they do to make Experian such a great place to work. Employee collaboration from our hackathons and company-wide product overviews have sparked remarkable innovations, such as Experian Go and Experian Boost. These products are especially helpful to members of diverse backgrounds and low-income households. Our Mental Health First-Aiders program is another example of employees coming together to support each other.  Our commitment to creating a supportive, purpose-driven culture is reflected in multiple awards from authoritative sources such as Great Places to Work. Not only was Experian listed among the "Best Workplaces for Parents," we’re also honored to be included on their list of "Best Workplaces for Millennials." Additionally, we’re passionate about giving back to the communities in which we work and live. We take pride in our company’s numerous contributions to organizations focused on the well-being of people from a diverse array of backgrounds. From creating the Experian Volunteer Leadership Network to our financial support of community organizations such as Ascend, National Urban league, HomeFree-USA and the Pathways Forward Initiative, we’re dedicated to helping people in need. We believe all these factors have led to our success as a company and a desirable place for people to build thriving careers. We’re honored that leading organizations like the Orange County Register and Great Places to Work recognize our efforts to make the world a better place. We want to make sure that we continue to innovate; that our products and services are first-best-and-only in their respective industries; and that we take very good care of our constituents.