Data & Analytics

This week marks the start of International Fraud Awareness Week, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about fraud prevention and empowering businesses and individuals to take proactive steps against financial crime. At Experian, we’re dedicated to helping organizations and consumers stay ahead of fraudsters and anticipate future threats. That’s why I’m excited to announce the launch of a new Experian DataTalk podcast series: Fraud Frontlines. This series will feature conversations between myself and industry experts and innovators on the latest fraud trends and strategies to mitigate risk. Introducing DataTalk’s Fraud Frontlines Series: Insights from Episode One In our inaugural Fraud Frontlines episode, I sat down with Nash Ali, Experian’s VP of Fraud Strategy, to discuss how fintech innovation has reshaped the fraud landscape and what that means for the future. As financial technology continues to revolutionize how people transact online, it’s also changing how fraudsters operate. The rise of GenAI and automated scams has introduced a new level of sophistication that demands equally advanced defenses. Key Themes & Insights: AI vs. AI: The New Battleground: Fraudsters are weaponizing GenAI to create sophisticated scams. What’s the way forward? Deploying AI-powered defenses that detect anomalies, identify malicious bots, and uncover coordinated fraud rings in real time. Smart Friction, Not Roadblocks: Consumers demand security without sacrificing convenience. Leading fintechs are embracing risk-based orchestration, applying adaptive controls tailored to user behavior instead of rigid authentication. Behavioral Biometrics to Combat Bots: Experian’s behavioral analytics powered by NeuroID enable the detection of bots and are evolving to recognize and distinguish between good agents and fraudulent agents. This capability analyzes multiple new digital and behavioral signals without adding friction to the user experience. The Rise of Agentic AI: Transactions are beginning to involve autonomous agents acting on behalf of humans. Businesses must prepare to authenticate these agents, validate the human and the intent behind them and distinguish automation from bad actors. Fintechs have enabled great new digital experiences, rapid response rates and a focus on user convenience. This digital transformation has also led to new attack surfaces for fraudsters. Traditional industry players and fintechs alike are joining forces to fight these new types of fraud. The challenges are complex, but the opportunities to innovate have never been greater. These are exciting times for those shaping a safer digital economy. I invite you to listen or watch the episode and stay tuned for new episodes and ongoing insights into fraud trends and prevention strategies. Listen to the episode Watch on YouTube Learn more about Experian’s fraud prevention solutions

Homeownership has long been the foundation for financial security, stability, and generational wealth. But for millions of Americans, especially younger renters, the dream of buying a home can feel out of reach. We recently surveyed U.S. renters[1] to better understand their outlook on the prospects of owning a home. The findings reveal a surprising sense of optimism: nearly half (47%) believe they’ll be ready to purchase a home within the next four years, and that figure jumps to 67% when looking over the next eight years. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, see a future where they will step confidently into homeownership. This optimism is encouraging, but it also underscores the responsibility we share as an industry to help these aspirations become reality. Data plays a significant role. Why modern credit scores matter Every lending decision and credit score is built on a foundation of good data. And in the mortgage market, we believe data has the power to change lives and turn today’s renters into tomorrow’s homeowners. Recent changes in the industry, including the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Director Pulte’s approval of VantageScore® 4.0 for use in mortgage decisions, are a testament to the value of data. Unlike traditional models, VantageScore 4.0 considers alternative data, including rental payments, that reflect how consumers manage their everyday financial commitments. Now, with the introduction of more modern scores in mortgage lending, millions of responsible renters can have a fairer shot at achieving their dreams of homeownership. For renters, this move is significant. Paying rent on time can be a strong indicator of readiness for homeownership, yet it historically wasn’t factored into mortgage credit scoring. Building on Director Pulte’s move to make VantageScore 4.0 available for use in the mortgage market, as well as his call to uncover creative ways to make credit scoring more competitive and mortgages more affordable for Americans, we recently took the step to offer VantageScore 4.0 for free to mortgage lenders. As the first credit reporting agency to include positive rental payments on credit reports, and operator of the industry’s largest rental database with nearly 40 million rental profiles, we understand how beneficial predictive data, such as on-time rental payments, can be for improving consumers’ creditworthiness. We’re well equipped to help the industry leverage these insights while helping renters use their positive payment history to their advantage. This change is an example of how smarter data can create a more inclusive financial system. A shared opportunity for the industry Today’s renters are motivated, ambitious, and ready to invest in their futures. As industry leaders, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to meet them where they are with modern tools and better data. Together, we can help more people unlock the door to homeownership, strengthen financial resilience, and ensure the next generation of homeowners is equipped to thrive. [1] Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,005 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between May 15 and May 20, 2025.

At Experian, we’re advancing our cloud-first strategy by expanding our use of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver faster, more scalable, and secure solutions. This move strengthens our ability to provide clients with real-time intelligence and deeper insights, while enhancing the performance and reliability of our platforms. By transitioning from mainframe systems and consolidating our infrastructure in the cloud, we’re creating a more agile and centralized technology environment. This shift allows us to respond more quickly to evolving client needs and unlock new opportunities for innovation. A major focus of this transformation is Experian’s investment in generative AI. Over the next decade, we’re developing more than 100 generative AI use cases that will streamline operations, automate complex data migrations, and power new credit and financial analytics offerings. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Chief Technology Officer at Experian, adds, “Having our data readily available in the cloud sets us up to invest in new capabilities like generative AI and advance products and solutions for our clients with proven security.” With AWS’s advanced infrastructure and security capabilities, we’re reinforcing our commitment to data protection, compliance, and innovation. This evolution is about more than technology—it’s about creating smarter, faster, and more secure experiences for the businesses and consumers we serve.

We can unequivocally say artificial intelligence (AI) is single-handedly transforming industries right in front of our eyes. From improving fraud detection to developing AI-powered chatbots to manage customer inquiries, AI is reshaping how businesses innovate and operate. As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, businesses across the spectrum have to continue balancing innovation with ensuring the technology is used in a responsible and ethical manner. At Experian, we believe the dual focus not only drives our technological advancements forward but reinforces our commitment to helping provide fair and transparent outcomes for consumers. We recognize the power of AI lies in its ability to transform data into actionable insights, empowering businesses to make more informed decisions, enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiencies. For instance, we recently launched the Experian Assistant, which is part of the Experian Ascend Platform™. This agentic AI tool leverages natural language inputs to help reduce the time it takes to develop complex analytical models and solve for multifaceted use cases. In addition, the tool allows financial institutions to explore vast datasets and deliver more value to customers.  However, with great power comes great responsibility. As we continue to harness the technology and unlock the full potential of AI, we are committed to understanding and defining the right frameworks for responsible innovation and the ethical use of AI solutions.  Our approach to the responsible use of AI allows us to get ahead of the potential risks instead of responding and reacting. Experian’s governance frameworks on the use of AI are built on intentional and deliberate choices about our policies and principles; it empowers us to innovate, as well as build trust with our clients, consumers and the broader community.  We believe that ethical AI use is a fundamental aspect of our corporate responsibility. In addition to our internal governance, we actively collaborate with our clients and other industry leaders to help shape the future of AI. Actively engaging with industry stakeholders allows to us to contribute to the standards that help promote transparency, fairness and accountability. While we are excited about the potential of AI and its ability to transform the financial services industry and beyond, we are steadfast in our commitment to its responsible use. To realize the full promise of AI, all stakeholders need to be a force for positive change. Related Posts

In some instances, the ways in which lenders make decisions is not unlike looking through a keyhole. From this vantage point, there is some information, but it isn’t the whole picture. Lenders are often making decisions on a subset of information about a consumer. And for millions of people in America, including those who are thin-file or credit-invisible, the amount of information available is limited.   Our goal is to help our clients gain a more representative understanding of consumers to better inform their decisions and ultimately better serve consumers.   Credit reports and traditional credit scores will continue to be an extraordinarily important part of the process, but we’re continually asking ourselves: how we can leverage our unique vantage point to help our clients obtain a more complete picture to create new opportunities for consumers?   One proven way we can achieve this is by helping financial services companies more easily leverage consumers’ banking and transaction information through open banking. This information can advance financial inclusion by providing a more comprehensive and accurate view of a consumer while giving consumers greater control of their data. And our research shows most consumers are onboard, with 71% stating they’re willing to provide this information if it increases their likelihood of qualifying for credit.1 Introducing Cashflow Score  Today, we’ve unlocked an exciting milestone in making the use of this information more accessible with the launch of Cashflow Score. This is the latest in a short list of products that can be used to make lending decisions, leveraging consumer-permissioned transaction information to more accurately assess risk, particularly for credit invisible or un-scorable consumers who have a bank account.  The score provides lenders with a clearer view of an applicant’s financial behavior, including income, expenses, cash reserves, and more, to enhance risk assessments with up to 25% lift in predictive performance.2 Our solution can easily integrate into lenders’ existing workflows in conjunction with traditional credit scores for credit decisions.   This means lenders can now leverage Cashflow Score in first and second chance credit decisions to assess applicants with limited or nonexistent credit histories, using only bank account data.    The future of financial inclusion  Open banking and transaction data can help create a future where we can help bring financial power to all.    As the only financial services company offering both traditional scores and cashflow-based scoring solutions developed in-house, we are uniquely positioned to connect credit outcomes with transaction data. And we’re just scratching the surface with solutions like Cashflow Score.   As we continue to innovate and embrace the possibilities of open banking, I am optimistic about what lies ahead and how we can expand the keyhole even further.   Together, we can create a more inclusive financial system where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.  [1]  Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,005 adults throughout the United States. The makeup of the sample is representative of the U.S. population based on national census data regarding demographic variables such as gender, age and geographical regions. The margin of error for the overall sample is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between March 17 and March 21, 2024. [2]  Based on Experian analysis when Cashflow Score is compared to conventional credit scores, tailored to targeted risk tiers. Predictability based on KS. Related Posts

Experian’s groundbreaking agentic AI-powered tool, Experian Assistant, has earned the prestigious 2025 FinTech Breakthrough Award for Analytics Innovation. This recognition comes on the heels of the product solution winning the BIG Innovation Award. These awards underscore Experian’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation by helping our customers achieve success. 24/7 Data Expert Integrated with the Experian Ascend Platform™, Experian Assistant functions as a 24/7 data expert, enabling financial institutions to optimize their credit and fraud models with ease. Using natural language processing (NLP), the virtual assistant guides users providing insights, recommendations and coding assistance. The impact is transformative: Experian Assistant cuts model-development timelines from months to just days—and even hours in some cases. By helping users analyze credit and fraud data, adjust model attributes and streamline workflows, it empowers organizations to innovate faster and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Powered by agentic AI technology, Experian Assistant reimagines how data scientists and analysts approach their work. It accelerates insights, fosters collaboration and empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences while reducing the time and resources needed to bring new initiatives to market. Driving Results While tailored for financial services, Experian Assistant’s capabilities extend across industries. Customers can leverage it for data exploration, model deployment, performance monitoring and faster time-to-market for new offerings. With Experian Assistant, users gain a powerful edge in scoring more consumers, optimizing processes and enhancing overall customer satisfaction. Commitment to Customers  Experian received this prestigious award that recognizes those “who are dedicated to reshaping the FinTech industry through innovative technologies.”  This accolade continues to build Experian Assistant’s position as a game-changing solution for Experian’s customers in financial services and beyond. Related Posts

Anniversary Showcases Groundbreaking Innovations for Businesses and Consumers This year marks a major milestone for Experian as its Innovation Lab in North America celebrates 15 years of driving technological transformation. Over the past decade and a half, the Lab has been at the forefront of data and AI-driven solutions, helping our clients reshape industries and expanding financial inclusivity. A Legacy of Innovation The Experian Innovation Lab has played a critical role in advancing AI-driven credit risk models, fraud detection systems and no- and low-code AI tools. A groundbreaking achievement is the development of the Ascend Analytical Sandbox™, the industry’s first Big Data architecture-based commercial product. This tool evolved into the Experian Ascend Platform™, revolutionizing data analysis with advanced visualization, seamless model development and deeper consumer insights. The Lab’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by its work to help develop Experian Assistant, a Generative AI-powered tool using natural language processing to expedite model development and address complex data challenges. By incorporating agentic AI, Experian Assistant enhances credit scoring accuracy for a broader consumer base for financial services clients—aligning with Experian’s mission to foster financial inclusion. Transformative Technological Milestones Throughout its 15-year journey, the Experian Innovation Lab has worked on numerous industry-first advancements, including: AI-Driven Marketing & Fraud Detection – Leveraging AI for personalized marketing and real-time fraud detection. Machine Learning for Identity Resolution – Enhancing security and efficiency in identity verification. Generative AI for Consumer Products – Transforming how individuals manage credit and make informed financial decisions. Shaping the Future of AI and Data Science At its core, the Innovation Lab thrives on exploration and collaboration. Engaging leadership and fostering grassroots innovation accelerates progress through prototyping and employee-driven ideas. This dynamic approach ensures Experian remains a leader in AI, machine learning and data analytics. The Lab’s success has inspired additional innovation centers in the UK and Brazil, further amplifying Experian’s global impact. AI for Good: Innovation with Purpose Beyond financial services, the Lab has harnessed AI for societal impact. The Experian COVID-19 Outlook and Response Evaluator (CORE), an interactive heat map, helped healthcare organizations identify communities most at risk. By analyzing de-identified health data, this tool helped provide insights for pandemic response. Additionally, the Lab has used AI to analyze data and generate insights to help combat human trafficking, underscoring Experian’s dedication to addressing social challenges. As the Experian Innovation Lab enters its next chapter, it remains committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and data science, ensuring its innovations continue making a meaningful impact. Related Posts

Today, we stand at the forefront of a digital revolution that is reshaping the financial services industry. And, against this backdrop, financial institutions are at vastly different levels of maturity; the world’s biggest banks are managing large-scale infrastructure migrations and making significant investments in AI while regional banks and credit unions are putting plans in place for modernization strategies, and fintechs are purpose-built and cloud native.  To explore this more, I recently had the privilege of attending the annual Reuters NEXT live event in New York City. The event gathers globally recognized leaders across business, finance, technology, and government to tackle some of today’s most pressing issues.  On the World Stage, I joined Del Irani, a talented anchor and broadcast journalist, to discuss the future of lending and the pivotal role of data and AI in building a more inclusive financial system. Improving financial access Our discussion highlighted the lack of access to traditional financial systems, and the impact it has on nearly 100 million people in North America alone. Globally, the problem affects over one billion people. These people, who are credit invisible, unscoreable, or have subprime credit scores, are unable to secure everyday financial products that many of us take for granted.  What many don’t realize is, this is not a fringe subset of the population. Most of us, myself included, know someone who has faced the challenges of financial exclusion. Everyday Americans, including young people who are just starting out, new immigrants and people from diverse communities, often lack access to mainstream financial products.  We discussed how traditional lending has a limited view of a consumer. Like looking through a keyhole, the lender’s understanding of the person in view is often incomplete and obstructed. However, with expanded data, technology, and advanced analytics, there is an opportunity to better understand the whole person, and as a result have a more inclusive financial system.  At Experian, we have a unique ability to connect the power of traditional credit with alternative data, bringing a more holistic understanding of consumers and their behaviors. We are dedicated to leveraging our rich history in data and our expertise in technology to create the future of credit and ultimately bring financial power to everyone. The future of lending After spending two days with over 700 industry leaders from around the world, one thing is abundantly clear: much like the early days of the internet, today, we are at the cutting-edge of a technical revolution. Reflecting on my time at Reuters NEXT, I am particularly excited by the collective commitment to drive innovative, and smarter ways of working.  We are only beginning to scratch the surface of how data and technology can transform financial services, and Experian is positioned to play a significant role. As we look to the future, I am excited about the ways we will create new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.    

The advertising ecosystem has seen significant transformation over the past few years, with increased privacy regulation, changes in available signals, and the rise of channels like connected TV and retail media. These changes are impacting the way that consumers interact with brands and how brands understand and continue to deliver relevant messages to consumers with precision.   Experian has been helping marketers navigate these changes, and as a result, our marketing data and identity solutions underpin much of today’s advertising industry. We’re committed to empowering marketers and agencies to understand and reach their target audiences, across all channels. Today, we are excited to announce our acquisition of Audigent—a leading data and activation platform in the advertising industry.   With Audigent’s combination of first-party publisher data, inventory and deep supply-side distribution relationships, publishers, big and small, can empower marketers to better understand their customers, expand the reach of their target audiences and activate those audiences across the most impactful inventory.      I am excited to bring together Audigent’s supply-side network as a natural extension to our existing demand-side capabilities. Audigent’s ability to combine inventory with targeted audiences using first-party, third-party and contextual signals provides the best of all worlds, allowing marketers to deliver campaigns centered on consumer choices, preferences, and behaviors.    The addition of Audigent further strengthens our strategy to be the premier independent provider of marketing data and identity, ultimately creating more relevant experiences for consumers.   To learn more about Experian and Audigent, visit https://www.experian.com/marketing/ and https://audigent.com/.