Experian Business Information

Join us for a great business credit education session with Experian's own Veronica Herrera during National #SmallBusinessWeek.

AI is driving a surge in energy demand, and it’s not just a tech story. Rising electricity costs are starting to affect small business margins, which could become a credit risk factor. For lenders, energy is becoming more than an expense; it’s a variable to watch.

🔋Power demand is rising fast—and 𝗔𝗜 is a big reason why. ❓But the real question for lenders is: What does this mean for credit risk? 📈Rising 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀,  📊 which could have downstream effects on portfolio performance. We break it down in the latest 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Read the full analysis: [LINK IN COMMENTS] #Lending #CreditRisk #RiskManagement #AI #Energy #SmallBusiness

Business credit scores are one of the most powerful tools in a CRO’s toolkit. They bring consistency, speed, and predictive insight to credit decisioning. But their value doesn’t stop at origination. 🔎 When viewed through a portfolio lens, business credit scores can also help CROs: • Understand how risk is distributed across the book • Track migration and emerging pressure points • Align pricing and exposure to risk • Strengthen ongoing portfolio monitoring In this article, we explore how to extend the value of business credit scores beyond individual decisions and use them to inform broader risk strategy. 👉 Read more: [https://ex.pn/4mdFNWa] #CreditRisk #CRO #PortfolioManagement #CommercialLending #RiskStrategy

The Experian Small Business Index™ dipped 5.5 points in February to 48.8—reflecting a month of softer employment data and mixed inflation signals. Even with the decline, the index remains above last year’s level and within its historical range, pointing to continued resilience across the small business landscape. New business formation stayed strong, credit conditions were largely stable, and wage growth held firm. At the same time, shifts in consumer behavior and rising delinquencies among small business owners contributed to the monthly movement. Explore the index and check conditions in your State or Industry: LINK IN THE COMMENTS

Business credit scores are one of the most powerful tools in a CRO’s toolkit. They bring consistency, speed, and predictive insight to credit decisioning. But their value doesn’t stop at origination. 🔎 When viewed through a portfolio lens, business credit scores can also help CROs: • Understand how risk is distributed across the book • Track migration and emerging pressure points • Align pricing and exposure to risk • Strengthen ongoing portfolio monitoring In this article, we explore how to extend the value of business credit scores beyond individual decisions and use them to inform broader risk strategy. 👉 Read more: [https://ex.pn/4mdFNWa] #CreditRisk #CRO #PortfolioManagement #CommercialLending #RiskStrategy

If you want to understand where the small business economy is heading, follow the credit. New insights from Experian show a clear divergence emerging—and it’s being driven by AI. Businesses in AI-intensive industries—Information, Finance & Insurance, and Professional Services—are behaving differently in ways that matter for risk and growth: → 25%+ more credit inquiries per business → Higher credit limits (≈16% more on average) → More credit accounts At first glance, that might signal rising risk. But here’s the nuance: These same businesses are carrying lower balances and lower utilization rates. In other words, they are accessing more capital—but using it more efficiently. Even more notable, credit performance remains stable. Delinquency rates and risk scores are comparable to other industries. So what does this tell us? AI isn’t just changing how businesses operate—it’s changing how they behave financially. We’re seeing early signs of a structural shift: Greater access to capital More disciplined usage No corresponding increase in risk For lenders and risk teams, this raises an important question: Are traditional credit signals being interpreted correctly in AI-driven sectors? Because the gap is widening—and the implications for portfolio strategy, underwriting, and risk models are real. Full analysis in the latest Experian Commercial Pulse update.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 shows 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗜-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 are 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱—and the gap is widening. They’re: → Seeking 𝟮𝟱%+ 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 → Receiving 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 → 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 But here’s the key: they’re 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸. This isn’t just growth—it’s disciplined growth. Full breakdown in our latest Commercial Pulse update. LINK IN COMMENT #finance #AI #lending #RiskManagement #CommercialLending #CRO

Dozens of volunteers participated in a fun volunteering experience yesterday at the Experian Costa Mesa North America headquarters. Starting early in the morning with setup of packing and sealing stations, unloading of pallets, hygiene supplies, food, coffee, and yes, donuts. Continuing through lunchtime, we hit the 30,000 meal target. Great job everyone! A special thanks to all of the Business Information team members who participated, and to Rise Against Hunger for facilitating such a fun volunteering experience. #HeartOfExperian #Volunteering

Telecommunications is evolving fast—and the credit data tells an important story. Telecom businesses continue to seek credit more frequently than other industries, but the average size of credit lines has fallen more than 50% since 2019. At the same time, utilization has returned to pre-pandemic levels—suggesting firms are doing more with less and may be turning to alternative funding sources. As AI adoption and consolidation reshape the industry, understanding these credit dynamics is critical for risk and growth leaders. Explore the latest insights in this week’s Commercial Pulse Report.