Americans are increasingly using personal loans to help manage their finances, according to a recent report from credit bureau Experian. As of 2025, a record 38% of consumers have at least one personal loan — up from 30.9% in 2017. Over that eight-year period, personal loan use has consistently risen. Personal loan balances are on the rise too. While not quite as high as they were two years ago, balances increased between 2024 and 2025 to an average of $19,333. “U.S. consumers continue to spend, based on ...

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Experian Health today released its annual 2026 State of Patient Access Survey. ...

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Experian introduces the next evolution of its "BFF†campaign. ...

Core Insights - Experian has launched the next evolution of its Virtual Assistant, EVA™, enhancing its Consumer First AI strategy to provide personalized financial guidance to millions of consumers [2][11]. Group 1: Product Features - The new EVA combines conversational AI, personalization, and trusted data to offer intuitive and actionable financial guidance, helping consumers make smarter financial decisions [3][10]. - EVA now provides near real-time spending analysis, tailored recommendations, and relevant financial offers based on connected account data, expanding its capabilities beyond just credit insights [3][5]. - The assistant can track spending trends, identify top categories, and uncover opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenses, serving as an intelligent financial copilot [5][6]. Group 2: User Experience - EVA enhances user experience by translating complex financial data into clear, practical next steps, allowing members to see their financial picture in near real time [7][9]. - The assistant evolves interactions based on user engagement, tailoring insights and recommendations to align with individual credit and financial goals [8][9]. - EVA is designed with privacy and security as core principles, ensuring that personalized guidance is grounded in consumer-permissioned data [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Vision - This development reflects Experian's commitment to embedding adaptive AI across the consumer journey, transforming how individuals engage with their financial information [4][11]. - The launch of EVA is part of a broader strategy to integrate intelligent AI across the consumer ecosystem, enhancing access to personalized financial tools and promoting financial inclusion [10][11]. - Experian aims to combine proprietary data and advanced AI to facilitate more intuitive financial decision-making for consumers [12].

Core Insights - Experian has announced a pricing of $0.99 for its VantageScore 4.0, aiming to enhance competition and generate savings within the industry [1] Group 1 - The introduction of VantageScore 4.0 at a low price point is expected to stimulate competition among credit scoring models [1] - This pricing strategy is designed to provide significant cost savings for consumers and businesses alike [1] - The move reflects a broader trend in the industry towards more accessible and affordable credit scoring solutions [1]

Core Insights - FullThrottle Technologies, LLC has announced a collaboration with Experian Automotive to integrate premium automotive audiences into its self-service platform for dealers and marketers [1][2] - This partnership aims to combine first-party data ownership with third-party audience intelligence, providing marketers with access to high-intent consumer audiences for real-time activation and measurement [2][5] Company Overview - FullThrottle Technologies operates the fullthrottle.ai® platform, which focuses on first-party data activation and AdTech solutions for automotive marketers [1][6] - The platform utilizes GenAI technology to enhance audience targeting, identity resolution, and campaign execution, addressing the fragmented landscape faced by auto marketers [3][4] Collaboration Details - The integration allows advertisers to access Experian's verified consumer marketing data, which includes insights on over 250 million U.S. individuals, enhancing the accuracy and actionability of marketing campaigns [4][5] - This collaboration establishes a new standard for audience marketing that prioritizes privacy and performance, moving beyond traditional third-party cookie models [5] Market Impact - The partnership is expected to enable auto marketers to optimize campaigns dynamically, ensuring optimal reach and relevance while driving sustainable growth [4][5] - FullThrottle Technologies claims to deliver over 85% audience match rates and SafeMatch® attribution, enhancing the effectiveness of marketing efforts across various channels [6][7]

New Report From Experian Automotive Highlights Growth in Subprime Vehicle FinancingMar 5, 2026 9:30 AM Eastern Standard Time# New Report From Experian Automotive Highlights Growth in Subprime Vehicle FinancingShare---Subprime vehicle financing reached its highest level in the fourth quarter since 2021SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the automotive industry continues to navigate affordability challenges and adjust to changing market conditions, subprime consumers re-emerge as a viable in-market shopper. ...

Core Insights - A four-student team from Fisk University won the top prize in the 2026 IYKYK Pitch Competition for the second consecutive year [1] - The team, known as Team F2, received a $40,000 prize for their innovative presentation titled "FinCheck," which aims to enhance Experian's Big Financial Friend campaign [1] Company and Industry Summary - The competition was sponsored by Experian and HomeFree-USA, highlighting the collaboration between financial services and community-focused organizations [1] - The campaign "FinCheck" is described as a social-first initiative inspired by the viral "fit check," indicating a trend towards engaging younger audiences through social media [1]

Core Viewpoint - The rising costs of credit report fees for homebuyers are causing significant concern within the mortgage industry, with projections indicating a potential increase of 40% to 50% by 2026 [2][9]. Group 1: Cost Increases and Industry Response - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has requested the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) to allow lenders to use a single credit report instead of a tri-merge report for borrowers with credit scores of 700 or higher [3]. - The average credit score for first-time homebuyers in 2024 was reported at 734, while repeat buyers had an average score of 775, indicating that most homebuyers would benefit from the proposed change [5]. - The FHFA oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which currently require lenders to use tri-merge reports that aggregate data from the three major credit-reporting agencies [6]. Group 2: Closing Costs and Fee Structure - Closing costs for homebuyers typically range from 3% to 6% of the loan amount, which adds significant expenses on top of the down payment [8]. - An example highlighted a 40.4% year-over-year increase in the cost of a basic tri-merge report, rising from $33.50 to $47.05 for individual applicants by 2026 [9]. - Lenders often pull a borrower's credit report twice during the home purchase process, which can double the costs associated with credit reporting for individual buyers [10]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics and Alternatives - The Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) supports the continuation of tri-merge reports, arguing that they enhance data accuracy and market competition [16]. - The increase in credit report prices has been attributed to rising costs from both credit-reporting companies and FICO, which has raised its pricing consistently over the years [17]. - The FHFA has approved the use of VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T, which consider alternative data in credit evaluations, although these scores are not yet widely implemented [20][23].

Core Insights - Experian has been recognized as a winner of the 2026 HousingWire Tech100 Mortgage award for its product, Experian Self-Service Prescreen [1] Company Summary - Experian's Self-Service Prescreen has been acknowledged for its innovation and contribution to the mortgage technology sector [1]