Unlocking growth in Mortgage lending: Capitalizing on the untapped potential of first-time homebuyers

This summary outlines important research findings that help lenders drive a more inclusive environment for customers, while mitigating risk.

A few takeaways:

• Understanding the profiles of who’s more prone to exclusion informs risk management.
• Machine learning techniques can also be deployed to help detect economic interaction effects or shifts.
• Attributes like education level, occupation or rent/utilities payment history have predictive power in credit outcomes.

Gain actionable insights from Experian’s 2026 State of the U.S. Housing Market Report:

• Mortgage market shifts and evolving borrower behaviors
• Affordability pressures and what they mean for homeowners
• Home equity as a key growth lever for lenders
• Macroeconomic trends impacting housing demand and credit

Despite tariff headwinds in 2025, the U.S. economy exceeded expectations and is positioned for continued growth. Improving credit dynamics point to a stronger lending environment in 2026.

• Solid economic momentum heading into the new year
• Improving lending standards and rising credit demand
• Stable delinquency trends support healthier credit conditions

Read the latest findings about "Closing the credit gap" white paper, and what they mean for financial inclusion and risk management.

Key insights:

• Income and credit trends reveal significant disparities that impact access to financial products.
• Demographic shifts across gender, household structures, ethnicities, and generations are reshaping borrower profiles.
• Lenders who adapt their strategies and product offerings can expand their customer base, reduce default rates, and lead in inclusive finance.