All posts by Abigail Lovell

Modernizing the conversation around credit and financial literacy is a key commitment for Experian, especially for young adults. That’s why we partner with organizations like the Singleton Foundation to produce “Your World on Money,” to meet young people where they are, with engaging, easy-to-understand video shorts about credit, budgeting, and saving and more.   We’re thrilled this commitment and creativity has earned both Gold and Bronze Anthem Awards, which recognize excellence in social good, celebrate the impactful work of organizations and initiatives that are driving positive change. Financial literacy is often not taught in schools, and the language around credit and personal finance can be intimidating. By normalizing these conversations, we hope to inspire confidence and action, helping young adults make informed financial decisions as they navigate life’s milestones. Our United for Financial Health partnership with the Singleton Foundation continues with our new series, the Finance Couch, where college students join our experts on a coach in the middle of a Los Angeles campus to answer their money questions. And our Anthem Award-winning series, HeartBroke, helps couples whose relationships are tested with financial issues to determine if they can work through it or end up HeartBroke(n).

We are thrilled to announce that Experian has been named to TIME Magazine’s inaugural "World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024" list, a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability leadership. This award is granted on a comprehensive research study conducted by Statista to identify the most sustainable companies across the globe, recognizing companies that are committed to preserving the planet and ensuring future generations inherit a world rich in natural beauty and resources. Experian achieved significant milestones in our sustainability journey in just the past year alone: Our renewable energy usage increased from 62% to an impressive 75%, marking a substantial step towards our goal of maximizing sustainable energy sources. We reduced our overall energy consumption by 19%, contributing to a remarkable 75% reduction, putting us well ahead of schedule in achieving our ambitious goal of a 50% reduction in direct emissions by 2030. As our business has grown, Experian has managed to decrease the carbon intensity of our direct emissions by an impressive 35%. This achievement underscores our dedication to operational efficiency and sustainable practices across our global operations. Looking beyond our direct impact, Experian has committed to working with suppliers that also adopt science-based targets by 2029, demonstrating our influence in driving sustainability throughout our supply chain. At Experian, sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility but a core part of our business strategy. We are dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability, driving positive change in our industry, and contributing to a healthier planet for future generations. As we continue on our journey to Net Zero, we remain committed to setting new benchmarks and leading by example in corporate sustainability. For more information on our sustainability initiatives and progress, click here.

Making a real difference in the world starts with embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and accelerating social impact. It's not just the right thing to do, but it's also key to our mission of creating a better tomorrow, together. DEI isn't just a buzzword for us; it's at the heart of everything we do. Whether it's in our sustainability strategy or our day-to-day operations, we're committed to driving positive social impact and closing the financial wealth gap in underserved communities. It starts with our people. We’re proud to share their dedication and work in this year’s Experian Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Within these pages, you’ll see how we foster belonging with our teammates, and champion DEI beyond the walls of Experian. From developing products like Experian Smart Money to expanding Experian Boost in the United Kingdom, and launching Advance XScore in Peru, we're dedicated to making a difference in the world around us. To that end, you’ll see we’ve also included, for the first time, our new Positive Social Impact Framework, which will reinforce and help our clients, consumers and employees further understand how we are making a difference in our communities. At Experian, we strive to build a brighter, more inclusive future – for our employees, our clients, and our communities. Together, we can make a real difference.

We often say creating a better tomorrow isn’t just a slogan, it’s our goal. From our talent recruiting to our products and services, we want to play a positive role in your financial future. That desired impact extends to the work we do in the communities in which we live work and serve. That’s why our recent honor from the 2024 Anthem Awards is so exciting. Created in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. We are thrilled that our modern and more relatable approach to financial health has been honored with a Bronze Anthem Award for the video series, “HeartBroke,” produced in partnership with The Singleton Foundation. As part of our United for Financial Health initiative, the show brings together couples for frank and honest conversations about their finances and how relationships are tested with financial issues. Financial expert Misty Lynch coaches them through those issues to help them determine if they can work through it or end up HeartBroke(n). It’s no surprise that money matters can put enormous strain on relationships and our daily lives. That’s why we’re also working with The Singleton Foundation to help young adults master money basics in the show “Your World on Money.” Now in its second season, “Your World on Money” explores topics like insurance, how to negotiate your salary, credit invisibility and stock market basics.   It's exciting to be among the distinguished winners honored this year. But for Experian, helping you feel empowered when it comes to your credit and finances is the bigger reward.

We’re very proud to have been awarded a top 75 score in the third edition of Europe’s Climate Leaders, which is compiled by The Financial Times in partnership with Statista, in recognition of our success in reducing our carbon emissions and our commitment to tackling climate change. The awards provide each company listed with a score based on their performance in cutting, and reporting transparently on, greenhouse gas emissions, as well as collaboration with environmental reporting group CDP and the Science Based Targets initiative. Our score acknowledges Experian’s ongoing commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, as we work towards our target of becoming carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. In 2022 we continued our reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and achieved a 44% reduction since 2019, as we work towards our science-based target to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030. We’re also continuing to engage with our suppliers in order to reduce the level of our scope 3 emissions through the footprint of the products and services we buy. We want to further our ambition and we are currently developing our Net Zero Transition Plan, to decarbonise our operations even further.

There are topics that can be hard to talk about in general conversation. Money and how best to achieve financial health shouldn’t be one of those. That’s why we’re excited to announce our newest United for Financial Health partner, singer-actress Coco Jones. She may play a rich social media influencer on the hit show “Bel-Air” (Peacock), but her approach to her financial health is thoughtful, personal and relatable. She and content creator Freddie Ransome have launched their new video series with Experian, In My Bag, sharing how they manage balancing gift giving with financial health. The money series will give viewers a peek into their lives as they talk about the money strategies and resources that work for them. Coco has a passion for financial health and financial security. She is very transparent about telling her own story, and helping people thrive on financial health journey. By sharing her ideas and personal approach in a fun way, she gets others excited about their own journey. We hope watching the conversations on In My Bag spark real conversations with your friends and family about financial wellness. Check out the first episode of In My Bag on Coco’s TikTok, Twitter and Instagram and Freddie’s TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. #IMBExperian

At Experian, we are proud to have a culture where our teammates can bring their whole selves to work. Perhaps no one exemplifies that spirit as much as our newest United for Financial Health partner, pop artist Jake Wesley Rogers. Jake is debuting a two-part Financial Glow Up video series across his social media channels to raise financial health awareness. Known for his bold style in music, fashion and expression, Jake is lauded as a queer storyteller through a universal lens and will soon take his talents on the road, as the opening act for Panic! At The Disco’s tour this fall. His new videos are a creative and intimate look inside the financial aspects of his career. He takes us along as he prepares for his upcoming tour, highlighting how managing everyday financial decisions, like using Experian Go, can empower consumers. Our partnership with Jake is the latest in a trio of new United for Financial Health partnerships focused on the LGBTQ+ community. Last month, we announced our support for Born This Way Foundation and its Channel Kindness, and we’re excited Jake is joining our efforts with another new Experian partner, True Colors United which aims to end homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth. Earlier this year, we announced a process to help transgender and non-binary consumers change their name on their Experian credit report without losing their credit and financial history. During Pride Month, our weekly Twitter #CreditChat addresses important financial topics such as Financial Tips for Same Sex Couples and the LGBTQ+ Community. To learn more about Experian’s commitment to financial empowerment for all, check out The Power of You: 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report. You can catch the first of Jake’s new Financial Glow Up videos on his Instagram and TikTok, and by searching #JWRExperian on those channels.

In my role as Chief Sustainability Officer at Experian, I often hear from communities that feel that they’re not seen or heard. That they’re marginalized. I’m proud that our United for Financial Health (UFH) program can be a global catalyst towards financial inclusion. This is the kind of work UFH is supporting with two new partners: Born This Way Foundation (BTWF) and True Colors United. Founded by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation supports youth mental health and created Channel Kindness, a digital storytelling platform. Experian is proud to support an expansion of Channel Kindness, which will be a safe space for young people to reflect on significant financial days throughout the year such as college graduation, tax day and a #BeKind21 Campaign event focusing on the role kindness plays in a person’s financial wellness. True Colors United was founded by Cyndi Lauper, and aims to end homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth. We will collaborate with them to create financial literacy resources to help this “invisible” community overcome barriers to fair and equitable access to credit and financial tools. These new partnerships are just a couple examples of our support for the LGBTQ+ community. Earlier this year, we achieved a 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in the U.S., making Experian a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the fourth consecutive year. We also received a Silver Award from Stonewall for our commitment to inclusion of LGBTQ people in the workplace. We provide a process to assist trans and non-binary consumers with name changes to their Experian credit reports. During Pride Month, our weekly Twitter #Creditchat addressed important financial topics such as Financial Tips for Same Sex Couples and the LGBTQ+ Community. We look forward to sharing stories from Channel Kindness and the resources from True Colors United. To learn more about Experian’s commitment to financial empowerment for all, check out The Power of You: 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report.

Growing up, my family rarely talked about money. So, in college, when I had the opportunity to get my first credit card, I also found myself in a little trouble when the first bill came. Most of us simply don’t learn about money matters until we find ourselves in these difficult situations. That’s one of the reasons why we’re excited to launch a creative and new program to teach young adults about the basics to building a financial legacy. “Protect The Bag” debuts today. It’s a six-part web series produced in partnership with Grammy-award winning artist, entrepreneur, author and community advocate, Lecrae. We first met Lecrae when he supported a United for Financial Health initiative in his hometown last year. “Protect The Bag” is a hip master class with finance and credit basics presented in an authentic way. Lecrae describes it as “edutainment” that includes scripted skits and interviews with everyday people. His friends Tyler Lockett, Coco Jones and WHATUPRG, among others, join him and share their financial health journeys as part of the shows as well. “Protect The Bag” is not just about credit. It’s about all aspects of personal finance. We’re proud of this innovative way to help consumers understand topics like saving, investing, budgeting and identity protection through someone they admire and trust. We hope you tune in every Tuesday, starting today, for the next six weeks. Episodes will appear on Lecrae’s YouTube channel starting at 7:00 p.m.EST/4 p.m.PST.