Welcome to the Experian Thought Leadership Hub

The scale of global cyberattacks continues to rise, and 2026 is poised to be the year of AI in cybersecurity.

In our 13th annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, we share our top predictions for the year ahead, including:

• The rise of synthetic identities built from stolen data
• AI overtaking human error as the top cause of breaches
• The growing risk of AI and quantum computing cyberattacks
• Emerging threats like mutating malware, brain hacking and a shrinking gender gap among hackers

Gain insight into the trends shaping the future of data security. Download the full forecast to prepare for what’s ahead.

The longest U.S. government shutdown has paused official labor data, but private-sector insights reveal key trends shaping the job market. Alternative sources show slowing job creation, modestly higher unemployment, and signs of resilience consistent with the Fed’s outlook.

• Job growth weakened in late 2025 across major indicators
• Layoff announcements rose, but claims remain low
• Unemployment edged up in line with Fed projections
• Labor market stress remains relatively contained

The U.S. economy continues to surprise with its resilience - growth forecasts are improving, equity markets are hitting new highs, and fears of an imminent recession are fading. Joseph Mayans’ Vision 2025 session, “Navigating 2026: Global Macro Shifts, U.S. Credit Trends and the Evolving Lending Landscape,” explored the economic forces shaping the next year - from the AI-driven equity boom to structural vulnerabilities in the white-collar labor market. His key takeaway: while AI innovation is fueling growth and optimism, it also introduces new dependencies and risks that will define the next economic chapter.

Highlights:

• The AI Trade’s Dominance: Economic optimism is increasingly tied to the AI investment cycle—AI spending fuels stock gains, which in turn sustain higher-income consumer spending.
• Potential Vulnerability: Overreliance on AI-driven growth leaves the economy exposed if those massive investments fail to deliver expected productivity gains.
• Labor Market Shifts: AI is intensifying existing white-collar labor market imbalances—more graduates, fewer roles, and increasing automation pressure.
• Credit Market Implications: Rising white-collar vulnerability poses a growing risk for prime credit segments, especially if economic momentum slows.
• Future Readiness: As Sol Rashidi emphasized, humans’ edge lies in creativity and critical thinking—skills that should be strengthened, not outsourced, to AI.

The U.S. economy shows signs of steady growth in Q3, yet challenges remain. A cooling labor market and persistent inflation create uncertainty, prompting lenders to stay cautious while adapting. Even in this dynamic environment, growth opportunities continue to emerge across the industry.

First-party fraud is notoriously difficult to separate from credit risk — but first-payment default (FPD) can be the key to earlier, more accurate fraud detection.

Key insights:

• What makes first-party fraud and credit risk so difficult to separate (and so costly to misclassify).
• Why FPD is the strongest, most reliable indicator of first-party fraud.
• Actionable takeaways for businesses to combat first-party fraud.

The fintech landscape is evolving rapidly—and 2025 is a pivotal year. Experian’s State of Fintech 2025 Report delivers exclusive insights into the market forces, consumer behaviors, and credit trends shaping the future of financial services. Learn how leading fintechs are adapting and where the next wave of growth is emerging.

In this report, you’ll discover:

• How fintechs are regaining market share in unsecured personal loans
• The impact of rising delinquencies and student loan repayments
• What Gen Z and Millennial borrowers expect from digital lenders
• 7 strategic imperatives to scale responsibly in a volatile market

Experian surveyed product, fraud and credit risk leaders across 10 countries to understand where underwriting is headed. The takeaway is clear: it’s evolving to be frictionless, embedded and nearly instant.

In this report, you’ll discover:

• How credit underwriting is expected to evolve by 2030
• The primary forces driving these changes
• Key takeaways to help your business lead into the next decade

2025 has presented a new wave of challenges for workers and employers to navigate. From immigration policy changes and federal employment cuts, to growing AI capabilities, reduced hiring and job creation revisions, we have seen new dynamics evolve this year that will likely continue to impact the labor market going forward.

The Q3 Labor Market Monitor tracks data from a variety of sources to shed light on these dynamics and gives readers a more comprehensive view of the job market.

U.S. small businesses are demonstrating exceptional adaptability amid a complex post-pandemic economic environment. Inflation remains elevated above 3%, interest rates are steady between 4.25% and 4.50%, and global trade dynamics continue to introduce volatility. Despite these pressures, small firms are showing resilience, driven by improved digital capabilities, disciplined fiscal management, and a steady flow of entrepreneurial activity.

In Q2 2025, an average of 447,000 new business applications were filed, with significant contributions from minority and younger founders. The Experian Small Business Index™ held steady, credit conditions remained tight. Traditional lenders continued to restrict approvals, with just 13% of applications approved by large banks. In response, small businesses increasingly turned to fintech and embedded finance solutions for faster, data-driven access to capital.

Borrowing behaviors are shifting. The average small business credit card APRs now exceed 25%, firms are transitioning toward installment loans that offer structured repayment terms.