Innovation

Identity is the cornerstone of trust.   Trust allows businesses to grow and consumers to transact with confidence. It also enables digital ecosystems to function at scale. As AI becomes an active participant in every digital interaction, earning and protecting that trust has never been more critical.   To build trust, companies need to recognize the people they’re interacting with online and distinguish good customers from fraudsters. Businesses look to Experian for our extensive consumer data, analytics, and decisioning solutions so they can more confidently identify, authenticate, and engage customers across digital channels.  This week, we are accelerating that mission with the acquisition of AtData, a global leader in email-based identity intelligence.  Email remains one of the most enduring and widely used digital identifiers. AtData brings real-time intelligence on more than 10 billion email addresses worldwide, adding a powerful and highly predictive signal to Experian’s identity and fraud platform. In a landscape shaped by automation and generative AI, the ability to assess email risk in real time can be a key asset in underwriting trust.  Identity Powered by Real‑Time Email Intelligence  AtData’s email intelligence provides signals such as domain reputation, account tenure, and behavioral risk to help distinguish legitimate customers from synthetic or manipulated identities. These signals can provide a better experience for good consumers, while supporting earlier detection of first-party fraud, third-party fraud, and synthetic identity schemes before losses occur.  Going forward, email intelligence will play an important role in the next generation of Experian solutions, including agentic AI systems that can reason, adapt, and act on trusted identity signals in real time. When combined with Experian’s device intelligence, behavioral analytics, and advanced decisioning capabilities, these insights enable organizations to:  Identify and authenticate consumers with greater confidence   Detect fraud earlier with improved precision and speed  Enhance engagement through richer, more connected identity profiles   With AtData, we are not only expanding our data assets, we are also advancing a future where identity is more trusted. I’m excited to build upon our world-class identity and fraud solutions together.   

For decades, Experian has invested in building one of the most trusted, differentiated data foundations in the world. Experian’s data helps businesses responsibly engage with consumers, manage risk, and grow with confidence. For consumers, these insights drive improved access to affordable credit solutions in some of the most significant moments of their lives. Our focus on building a durable data foundation and persistent identity signals puts Experian in a unique position, especially as technology continues to evolve, and AI reshapes how decisions are made. Incomplete or inconsistent data can lead to bad models and negative outcomes for both businesses and consumers. And, as data and identity signals continue to change, persistence becomes increasingly valuable. Businesses need confidence that the people they’re interacting with are real, reachable, and consistent over time. That’s why we’re excited to announce Experian’s acquisition of AtData – a leading data and intelligence company backed by the world’s most comprehensive email insights technology. AtData’s coverage of real-time email insights, including over 10 billion email addresses worldwide and 98% of active emails in North America, is trusted by thousands of businesses including many of America’s most notable brands and Fortune 500 companies. Our acquisition of AtData builds on our leading, durable identity infrastructure. By adding the most comprehensive email intelligence technology to Experian’s existing identity, data, analytics, and decisioning capabilities, we’re enabling our clients to make faster, more confident, signal-driven decisions. Smarter, more efficient marketing Email remains one of the most direct and effective channels for driving consumer response — and the intelligence behind it is what separates high-performing programs from inefficient ones. Real-time behavioral signals, including engagement, activity frequency, and responsiveness, tell businesses not just whether an address is deliverable, but whether a person is actively reachable and likely to act. Layering these signals across Experian's existing consumer intelligence enables smarter audience prioritization, reduced waste, and better results across the customer journey. Connecting identity across channels and touchpoints The email address has become the center point of modern, digital identity — an anchor linking the signals a person leaves across the digital and physical world, including postal addresses, phone numbers, devices, and more. Adding email-based identity linkages to Experian's robust identity infrastructure gives businesses a more complete, accurate, and durable view of who a person actually is, across channels in an increasingly fragmented identity ecosystem. Stronger fraud prevention and risk management Email behavior is a critical element in helping businesses detect and prevent fraud. Knowing whether an email is newly created, exhibiting bot-like patterns, or inconsistent with other points of identity associated with a person helps businesses identify synthetic identities and separate trusted from higher-risk activity — earlier in the process. These signals sharpen the decisioning capabilities businesses need to act with speed and confidence. Why this matters now AI is raising the bar for speed, personalization, and precision. But AI is only as effective as the data behind it. In this next phase, trusted, differentiated data is what creates real advantage. AtData strengthens our ability to help our clients navigate what comes next — with confidence and at scale. To learn more about AtData, please visit https://atdata.com/.

We believe financial decisions should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Choosing how to protect your family, planning your next move, building your future, these are personal milestones. Yet too often, the tools meant to help consumers navigate them create friction instead of clarity. We are changing that. Our Consumer-First AI strategy starts with a simple belief: technology should make life easier for people. We’re building AI-powered experiences that meet consumers where they are, cut through complexity, and provide guidance that feels intuitive, supportive, and genuinely helpful. Reimagining Insurance Shopping Through Conversation One example is the launch of our Experian Insurance Marketplace, a leading platform to find and compare auto insurance rates[i], within ChatGPT. Shopping for insurance has long been a frustrating process. Consumers jump from site to site, repeatedly entering information and trying to decode policy differences, often still unsure if they found the right coverage at the right price. Now the experience can begin with a simple question inside ChatGPT. Consumers now can start their journey with Experian and compare estimated rates from more than 35 leading insurance carriers in our network, receive clear coverage explanations, ask follow-up questions in real time, and seamlessly transition into the Experian experience to explore personalized savings and switch carriers. What once took hours across multiple websites can now begin in one guided interaction. Powered by Experian’s Innovation Engine This experience is powered by Experian’s Insurance Marketplace platform and built on years of data expertise, advanced analytics, and strong carrier relationships. It reflects our ability to combine trusted data with emerging AI to create entirely new consumer experiences. For example, consumers can start with a ZIP code to explore price comparisons and, if they choose transition securely to Experian’s website for a personalized quote. This is Consumer-First AI in action. It is not technology for its own sake, but innovation designed to make life easier, build confidence, and give people greater control over their financial journey. Just the Beginning Experian has long helped people build credit, protect their identity, and improve their financial health. Bringing other capabilities, we offer like insurance into conversational AI is a natural extension of that mission. Insurance is only the start in seeing Experian via other platforms. As AI becomes a bigger part of our financial lives, we will continue expanding solutions both within our ecosystem and in other properties like ChatGPT that simplify complex moments and deliver smarter, more personalized guidance wherever consumers are or prefer to engage. Because at Experian, we are committed to being your BFF, your Big Financial Friend, showing up with trusted guidance, practical tools, and support exactly when it matters most. To explore the Experian Insurance Marketplace within ChatGPT or learn more, visit www.experian.com/insurance Insurance products are offered through Gabi Personal Insurance Agency, Inc., d/b/a Experian Insurance Services, a licensed insurance agency. Availability and savings vary by state. Savings are not guaranteed. For license information, visit https://www.experian.com/help/insurance-licenses-disclosure/ [i] Results will vary and some may not see savings.

We’re starting the year strong by reaffirming our promise to empower consumers on their financial journeys. At Experian, everything we do is driven by our mission to bring Financial Power to All™—helping people not only understand where they stand but confidently move forward. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce the new high-yield Experian Smart Money™ Digital Savings Account[1], designed to make saving effortless, accessible, and more meaningful than ever before. This new offering is more than just a savings account—it represents an important evolution in how Experian supports financial progress. For years, we’ve helped tens of millions of consumers monitor their credit, improve their credit scores, and protect their identities. Now, by adding a high-yield digital savings account to our existing suite of financial health tools, we’re able to anchor that progress to something tangible: real balances and real momentum. With the ability to save built directly into the Experian ecosystem, members can track their savings growth alongside credit improvements, creating a clearer picture of their overall financial health. Positive financial behaviors—like paying down debt, making on-time payments, or improving utilization—can now be experienced in parallel with cash accumulation and stronger financial resilience, all in one trusted place. The Experian Smart Money™ Digital Savings Account offers up to 4.00% variable Annual Percentage Yield[2] (APY), which is nearly 10 times the national average savings rate[3], with no minimum balance or direct deposit requirement. It’s seamlessly integrated into the Experian membership experience, making it easier for consumers to take action the moment insight appears. This launch builds on the success of our Experian Smart Money™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card introduced in 2023 and reflects our continued commitment to creating products that meet consumers wherever they are on their financial journey. We believe saving is a foundational financial behavior—and one that plays a powerful, often underappreciated role in credit outcomes. Strong credit health isn’t just about borrowing; it’s closely tied to liquidity, cash flow stability, and financial resilience. Having accessible savings can help consumers stay current on bills during income disruptions, build buffers that reduce reliance on higher-cost credit, and create flexibility that can support long-term credit improvement. In this way, a high-yield digital savings account becomes more than a place to store money—it becomes a practical tool for building healthier financial habits. Whether it’s emergency savings, goal-based saving, or smoothing cash flow, an Experian Smart Money Digital Savings Account enables consumers to turn good intentions into consistent action. This launch also reflects our broader evolution beyond a traditional credit bureau. Today, Experian membership provides access to credit monitoring and improvement tools, identity protection, a credit card marketplace, auto insurance comparison shopping, and personalized guidance through our AI-powered virtual assistant, EVA. Adding a high-yield digital savings account allows us to take the next step with our members—bridging the gap between insight and action. Instead of stopping at “here’s where you stand,” Experian can now help consumers actively build positive financial momentum. We’re extending our role as consumers’ BFF—Big Financial Friend—by making it easier to save, plan, and grow within the same ecosystem they already trust. By innovating and delivering products that truly make a difference in people’s everyday financial lives, we’re continuing to advance our mission and help consumers turn knowledge into progress. Learn more at experian.com/smartmoney. [1] The Experian Smart Money™ Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International. Banking services provided by CFSB, Member FDIC. Experian is a Program Manager, not a bank.  See Experian.com/legal. [2] The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 2.00%, 3.00% or 4.00% as of today’s date based on the Experian membership status. The APY may change at any time before or after your account is opened. Changes to the Experian membership can impact the APY, interest rate, and features. The interest rate and APY may be lower during membership trial periods. No minimum deposit to open account. Balance must be at least $0.01 to earn APY. Learn more. [3] As of Dec. 15, 2025, the national average rate for savings accounts was 0.39%, according to the FDIC.

As the AI-enabled speed of data analytics and model development continues to accelerate across financial services, financial institutions face a growing challenge: keeping regulatory documentation aligned with rapid model innovation. Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management was built to address this challenge, and we’re proud it has been named a 2026 BIG Innovation Award winner in the Innovative Products category. The BIG Innovation Awards recognize organizations that deliver exceptional innovation and measurable value to customers and stakeholders. This recognition underscores the impact our AI-powered solution is having in helping financial institutions modernize model risk management in today’s AI-driven environment. Accelerating model validation and reducing regulatory risk Fully integrated into the Experian Ascend Platform™ and powered by ValidMind technology, Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management helps accelerate model validation, improve auditability and reduce regulatory risk. By offering standardized templates, centralized documentation and streamlined workflow approvals, the solution supports regulatory alignment while enabling faster, more consistent model development. As AI-driven models evolve at unprecedented speed, regulatory expectations continue to require thorough, explainable and auditable documentation. Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management addresses this labor- and resource-intensive requirement through end-to-end model documentation automation, helping institutions maintain accountability without slowing innovation. Addressing a growing industry challenge According to a 2025 Experian study of more than 500 global financial institutions, 67% struggle to meet regulatory requirements, 79% report more frequent supervisory communications, and 60% still rely entirely on manual compliance processes. More than 70% of larger institutions say model documentation compliance involves over 50 people. Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management helps solve this challenge by modernizing model documentation and governance practices across the credit and risk lifecycle. The 2026 BIG Innovation Award reinforces Experian’s role as a trusted partner, helping financial institutions confidently adopt AI while improving transparency, auditability and regulatory alignment. Learn more about Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management here.  

Chief Innovation Officer, Kathleen Peters recently spoke on an “AI at Velocity: Securing the Agentic Enterprise” panel at Fortune Brainstorm AI, exploring strategies for designing, deploying, and securing agents to ensure observability and control from day one.  The panel covered a core theme that underscores how to accelerate enterprise adoption of AI agents: promoting trust. The discussion explored different dimensions of trust in AI agents, all of which speak to strengths of Experian. First, Kathleen cited the critical need to know the intent behind an agent, verifying whether it is acting on behalf of a human, another agent, or a bad actor. Also, understanding the permissions that the agent has been given is very important. Here, Experian’s identify protection and fraud prevention solutions play a key role.   Second, trust is built through policy guardrails that enterprises put in place that provide a framework for its network operations across the governance, orchestration, and execution layers. Ensuring proper security of agentic processes becomes the top priority for businesses and consumers who engage with the enterprise. This security is especially important in highly regulated industries, such as financial services and healthcare.  These policy guardrails will serve two purposes: differentiate a brand’s customer experience and eventually become the foundation for industry-wide regulatory standards. These guardrails need to be enforced by a policy engine that should have the capability to remediate or reverse the action of an AI agent if its actions violate any policy.  Experian Ascend Platform’s feature set includes this kind of governance and orchestration of agentic-AI processes to ensure the highest standards of data privacy and protection, and keep our customers safe and secure.  The panel closed with a look-ahead to 2026 and beyond. Kathleen emphasized that agents will quickly move beyond automation of human tasks into new areas where they will “talk” to each other and even spawn new agents. In this fast-evolving landscape, building trust through enterprise policy and proper orchestration and governance of AI agents will separate the market winners from the rest.  Watch the virtual event here.

I recently had the opportunity to attend Money20/20 in Las Vegas, where one theme dominated nearly every conversation: artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services. But amid all the excitement around algorithms and technology, the data that powers it all often gets overlooked. AI is only as effective and trustworthy as the data behind it. For financial institutions, high-quality, differentiated data determines how confidently they can assess creditworthiness, detect anomalies, and manage risk. Ultimately, it’s data that allows lenders to innovate responsibly, personalize experiences, and deliver better outcomes for consumers. At Experian, we see measurable impact when institutions strengthen their data foundations. Our clients are making faster lending decisions, reducing default rates, and expanding access to credit through responsible, data-driven innovation. Turning Better Data Into Better Decisions Experian’s industry-leading core credit data, alternative credit data, cash flow insights, and more gives lenders a more holistic view of financial health. These differentiated data assets, combined with our history or continuous innovation, enable AI systems that are more transparent, explainable, and fair. On example of this is our Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management, a new AI-powered capability that automates the most complex and time-intensive areas of compliance. This solution continuously analyzes model documentation, detects model drift, and recommends corrective actions in real time. Ultimately, this is transforming compliance from a barrier to a driver of ROI and innovation that benefits consumers and businesses. Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Compliance While at Money20/20, I had the opportunity to share more about how we are leveraging differentiated data and technology to help make room for innovation during an interview with Fintech Futures. Reporter Tyler Pathe and I discussed the fact that many institutions still rely on manual processes for compliance — with some involving up to 50 people just to document and validate models. That level of inefficiency slows progress and increases operational risk. Through automation and AI, and differentiated data at our foundation, we are changing this narrative and helping our clients move faster and innovate with confidence. You can tune into my full interview with Fintech Futures below.

As we approach 2026, artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool for innovation—it’s a weapon in the hands of cybercriminals. Our 13th Annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, released today, highlights how AI is poised to redefine the cybersecurity landscape, introducing a new era of highly personalized, persistent, and technologically advanced attacks. We outline six key predictions, with AI emerging as the central theme. From synthetic identities and autonomous AI agents to shape-shifting malware and even vulnerabilities in brain-computer interfaces, the forecast paints a picture of a threat environment that’s evolving faster than many organizations can keep up with. The stakes are high. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 8,000 global data breaches exposed approximately 345 million records [1]. Experian’s clients in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada were among the hardest hit. Consumers Are Feeling the Impact To check the pulse of how consumers are feeling about the impact of AI on security, we recently conducted a national survey in the U.S. and UK. The findings reveal growing anxiety around AI-driven threats. In both the U.S. and U.K., more than 80% of respondents expressed concern about AI being used to create fake identities indistinguishable from real people. Millennials appear especially vulnerable, with 1 in 4 reporting identity theft in the past year and nearly a quarter falling victim to phishing attacks. The findings also show a lack of confidence in corporate defenses: 69% of U.S. adults don’t believe their bank or retailer is prepared for AI-driven attacks. 76% believe cybercrime will continue to escalate and become impossible to slow down due to AI. 35% worry about being held personally liable for cybersecurity mistakes at work. Preparing for the AI-Driven Future While the threats are daunting, organizations can turn the tide by adopting AI defensively. Proactive investments in AI-powered threat detection, employee training, and incident response planning will be critical in 2026 and beyond. Experian Data Breach Resolution has more than 20 years of experience helping companies manage a security incident and it’s no different today than it was two decades ago – the same technologies that are being used against us can also be used to protect us. AI can help detect anomalies faster, automate responses, and reduce human error. But it requires investment, training, and preparation. To review all six predictions, download the paper here. Understanding what’s coming is the first step toward building a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity strategy. [1] Data Breach Statistics 2025: Key Trends, Costs & Risks Revealed, SQ Magazine, October 6, 2025

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.