World

As COP30—the world’s largest UN climate summit—wraps up in Belém, Brazil, the global community is focused on turning commitments into action. At Experian, climate action is not just about reducing emissions. It’s about creating a fair and inclusive opportunities that benefit everyone. We’re using data and innovation to make that vision a reality, and this global summit is an important platform to share and accelerate this work. An area we’re particularly excited about is inclusive economic growth, in other words, creating opportunities for everyone to prosper while protecting the planet. For example, we’re seeing great progress in our agribusiness sector, where Experian is helping small producers access affordable credit through responsible, tech-enabled financial inclusion. This is sustainability in action, where climate resilience and social impact go hand in hand. Experian has also officially launched our Net Zero Transition Plan, detailing how we’re reducing emissions across our operations and supply chain while supporting a fair and inclusive transition. Here’s how we’re tracking: Operations: Progressing toward our target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions, meaning, those we generate directly such as fuel we burn on-site or in company vehicles, and energy we purchase to power our operations, by 50% by 2030 (a baseline we set in 2019), reaching 84% reduction in the first half of our 2026 fiscal year. Supply Chain: Advancing our Scope 3 goal to have 78% of suppliers adopt science-based targets by 2029, with coverage in the first half of our 2026 fiscal year, reaching 38%. These milestones reflect our award winning commitment to climate leadership and transparency. COP30 is about implementation, emphasizing collaboration and action. Experian’s participation reinforces our commitment to harness the power of data as a catalyst for climate solutions. From enabling businesses to measure and manage emissions to unlocking financial inclusion for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, Experian is creating pathways for growth that are future-ready.

At Experian, we often say our people are our biggest superpower - and today, I’m thrilled to share that this belief has been recognised once again. Experian has been named one of the 2025 World’s Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work® for the second year in a row. This achievement reflects the culture we’ve built together – one that’s welcoming, inclusive, and rooted belonging. It’s a celebration of every colleague who brings their whole self to work, who lifts others up, and who powers opportunities for our clients, consumers, and communities. We’ve made it our mission to create a workplace where everyone feels included, respected, and empowered. That’s why we’re proud to have earned top scores on the Corporate Equality Index and the Disability Equality Index, and to be recognised with the Outie Award for Workplace Excellence and Belonging. These recognitions matter. But what matters most is how our people experience life at Experian. Whether it’s collaborating, innovating, or growing through world-class development of products, services and contributing to our communities, our culture is designed to help everyone thrive. We’ve also made bold commitments to career development. Initiatives like Global Careers Week, the AI-driven performance coach Nadia, and the NextGen Forum – a global leadership development programme for emerging talent from across our regions – give our people the resources to take charge of their growth and build a “One Experian” mindset. Being named one of the World’s Best Workplaces is a moment to celebrate but also a reminder to keep aiming higher. The world of work is evolving fast, and so are we. From embracing AI to enhancing our digital workplace experience, we’ll continue to push forward and listen to our people every step of the way.

Trust begins with knowing who you’re doing business with. In financial services, trust depends on identity verification, protecting people and institutions from fraud while enabling seamless digital experiences. Experian has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Identity Verification in Financial Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (doc #US52985325, September 2025). We believe this recognition reflects years of innovation in data, analytics, and AI to make digital trust simpler and more secure. Rethinking Verification for a Digital World Identity verification has evolved beyond static data checks. Today, it means interpreting signals across systems in real time. Financial institutions must prevent fraud without slowing legitimate customers, and Experian’s Ascend Platform™ helps strike that balance. It unites diverse data sources with intelligent analytics and decisioning tools so organizations can confidently verify identities. “We’re constantly listening to clients and evolving our capabilities, integrating AI, behavioral analytics, and new approaches like ‘know your agent’ to stay ahead of emerging risks,” said Keith Little, President of Experian Software Solutions. From Data to Confidence Experian was recognized for the following strengths: Access to a broad and diverse range of proprietary identity and credit data sources enables multilayered verification across different financial services use cases. The platform incorporates risk-based authentication, progressive onboarding, and behavioral analytics that enable fraud detection with reduced friction. NeuroID integration expands capabilities in behavioral monitoring, including detection of fraud rings and bot behavior during digital onboarding. “Experian demonstrates strength in identity verification by combining broad data assets with scalable workflows,” said Sam Abadir, Research Director for IDC Financial Insights. “This offers financial institutions both the consistency required for compliance and fraud prevention, and the dynamism needed to adapt to evolving customer expectations.” Building the Future of Digital Trust The landscape of identity verification is constantly shifting as regulations tighten and fraud tactics evolve.  We lead by transforming vast data into actionable intelligence that protects people, strengthens businesses, and fosters trust. Experian’s identity verification offering is tackling the challenges of today, but equally important is our commitment to staying ahead of what’s next. To learn more. click here: Financial Services 2025 Vendor Assessment. 

Experian is a cornerstone of the U.S. housing finance system, empowering millions of consumers to achieve the dream of homeownership and enabling lenders to make safe, sound, and inclusive credit decisions. At the heart of every credit score is data - and there is no FICO score without credit bureau data. Our information powers the accuracy, reliability, and fairness of scores across the market. FICO is now proposing an aggressive strategy to restructure distribution in order to push through an unprecedented price increase for its own benefit. The new direct licensing model introduces unnecessary technological, operational, and regulatory complexity for lenders and other market participants - complexity that ultimately increases costs and risks for the housing ecosystem. On pricing, the math speaks for itself. FICO has now more than doubled its fee from $4.95 to $10, and it’s an even worse increase under the proposal for a $33 closing fee. Make no mistake, this will place an even greater financial burden on the industry, that will inevitably be passed to consumers. Experian has long supported the industry’s evolution toward more modern, inclusive, and efficient credit solutions. We have a track record of partnering with lenders, agencies, and regulators to ensure innovation strengthens - not hinders - the system. FICO’s actions only underscore the need for alternatives that deliver value, not additional burden. As a result, we are committed to accelerating the adoption of VantageScore - an innovative, proven, and cost-effective solution that better serves both lenders and consumers. We remain confident in our position, our client partnerships, and our ability to deliver solutions that balance affordability, fairness, and accuracy. Experian will continue to work with the industry to drive innovation, empower consumers, and strengthen the housing finance system for the future.

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.

Experian has earned a top-tier position at 6th place in the 2025 IDC FinTech Rankings of the Top 100 companies, moving up one spot from last year and securing a place in the global top 10 for the fourth year in a row. This achievement reflects the trust our customers place in us and the impact of the innovation we deliver every day. Around the world, financial institutions rely on the Experian Ascend Platform™ to power faster decisions, reduce risk, and accelerate time to market. From AI-driven analytics to fraud prevention, Ascend provides trusted AI solutions that replace manual processes with automation and create smarter, more transparent financial experiences. One recent example is the Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management, fully integrated with Ascend. This solution empowers teams to govern and manage models across their entire lifecycle, accelerating validation, improving auditability, and reducing both regulatory and reputational risk. For customers, that means less time spent on compliance and more time dedicated to serving people. Achieving a higher position in the IDC FinTech Rankings underscores our role as a global leader in trusted AI and advanced analytics. Most importantly, it reaffirms our commitment to helping organizations unlock the power of data and technology to drive meaningful changes in the financial ecosystem. 

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