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| 27.06.25 16:58:54 | Experian announces exchange rate for second interim dividend payment |  |
| LONDON - Experian (OTC:EXPGF) plc (LSE:EXPN) has set the exchange rate for converting its second interim dividend from US dollars to British pounds at £1 = $1.37168, according to a press release issued Friday. The global data and technology company will pay approximately 31.5306 pence per share on July 18 to shareholders who did not elect to receive payment in US dollars. This conversion applies to the previously announced second interim dividend of 43.25 US cents per ordinary share. The dividend will be paid to shareholders who were on the register of members at the close of business on June 20. The company reminded shareholders who did not elect to receive UK sourced dividends through income access share arrangements that their dividends will be subject to Irish dividend withholding tax unless the company’s registrars have a valid exemption form. Experian, a FTSE 100 Index company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, operates across 32 countries with approximately 23,300 employees. The company provides data and technology services across various sectors including financial services, healthcare, automotive, and insurance. The information was disclosed in a regulatory announcement to the London Stock Exchange (LON:LSEG). This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. |
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| 26.06.25 15:51:32 | Buy Now, Pay Later loans will soon affect some credit scores | |
| NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of millions of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ loans will soon affect credit scores for millions of Americans who use the loans to buy clothing, furniture, concert tickets, and takeout. Scoring company FICO said Monday that it is rolling out a new model that factors the short-term loans into their consumer scores. A majority of lenders use FICO scores to determine a borrower’s credit worthiness. Previously, the loans had been excluded, though Buy Now, Pay Later company Affirm began voluntarily reporting pay-in-four loans to Experian, a separate credit bureau, in April. The new FICO scores will be available beginning in the fall, as an option for lenders to increase visibility into consumers' repayment behavior, the company said. Still, not all Buy Now, Pay Later companies share their data with the credit bureaus, and not all lenders will opt in to using the new models, so widespread adoption could take time, according to Adam Rust, director of financial services at the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. Here's what to know. Why haven't the loans appeared in credit scores previously? Typically, when using Buy Now, Pay Later loans, consumers pay for a given purchase in four installments over six weeks, in a model more similar to layaway than to a traditional credit card. The loans are marketed as zero-interest, and most require no credit check or only a soft credit check. The main three credit reporting bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, haven't yet incorporated a standard way of including these new financial products in their reports, since they don't adhere to existing models of lending and repayment. FICO, the score of the Fair Isaac Corporation, uses data from the bureaus to calculate its own credit score, and is independently choosing to pilot a new score that takes the loans into account. Why is this important? BNPL providers promote the plans as safer alternatives to credit cards, while consumer advocates warn about “loan stacking,” in which consumers take on many loans at once across several companies. So far, there's been little visibility into this practice in the industry, and the opacity has led to warnings of “phantom debt" that could mask the health of the consumer. In a statement, FICO said that their new credit score model is accounting for the growing significance of the loans in the U.S. credit ecosystem. “Buy Now, Pay Later loans are playing an increasingly important role in consumers’ financial lives,” said Julie May, vice president and general manager of business-to-business scores at FICO. “We’re enabling lenders to more accurately evaluate credit readiness, especially for consumers whose first credit experience is through BNPL products." Story Continues What does FICO hope to achieve? FICO said the new model will responsibly expand access to credit. Many users of BNPL loans are younger consumers and consumers who may not have good or lengthy credit histories. In a joint study with Affirm, FICO trained its new scores on a sample of more than 500,000 BNPL borrowers and found that consumers with five or more loans typically saw their scores increase or remain stable under the new model. For consumers who pay back their BNPL loans in a timely way, the new credit scoring model could help them improve their credit scores, increasing access to mortgages, car loans, and apartment rentals. Currently, the loans don't typically contribute directly to improved scores, though missed payments can hurt or ding a score. Since March, credit scores have declined steeply for millions, as student loan payments resume and many student borrowers find themselves unable to make regular payments on their federal student loans. What are the risks and concerns? Nadine Chabrier, senior policy and litigation counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending, said her main concern is that the integration of the loans into a score could have unexpected negative effects on people who are already credit-restrained. “There isn’t a lot of information out there about how integrating BNPL into credit scoring will work out,” Chabrier said. “FICO simulated the effect on credit scoring through a study. They saw that some users’ scores increased. But if you factor in something that, last week, didn’t affect your credit, and this week, it does, without having very much information about the modeling, it's a little hard to tell what the consequences will be.” Chabrier cited research that’s shown that many BNPL users have revolving credit card balances, lower credit scores, delinquencies, and existing debt. Women of color are also more likely to use the loans, she said. “This is a credit vulnerable community,” said Chabrier. Will consumers see immediate effects? Rust, of the Consumer Federation of America, said he doesn't expect this to be a game-changer for consumers who already have a credit profile. “Are we at a point where using BNPL loans will dramatically alter your credit profile? Probably not,” he said. “I think it's important that people have reasonable expectations.” Rust said the average BNPL loan is for $135, and that repaying such small loans, even consistently, might not result in changes to a credit score that would significantly move the needle. “It's not about going from 620 to 624. It's about going from 620 to 780,” he said, referring to the kind of credit score jumps that affect one's credit card offers, interest rates on loans, and the like. Still, Rust said that increased transparency around the loans could create a more accurate picture of a consumer's debts, which could improve accurate underwriting and keep consumers from over-extending themselves. “This addresses the problem of ‘phantom debt,’ and that’s a good thing,” he said. “Because it could be something that keeps people from getting too deeply into debt they can’t afford.” ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. View Comments |
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| 26.06.25 13:00:00 | Experian Strengthens its Fraud Fighting Capabilities with Mastercard’s Identity Insights |  |
| The partnership combines Mastercard’s identity verification and fraud prevention tools with Experian Ascend Platform to accelerate decisioning and improve customer satisfaction COSTA MESA, Calif., June 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Experian today announced the integration of Mastercard’s identity verification and fraud prevention technology into the Experian Ascend Platform™. This collaboration will enable seamless, secure, and efficient identity verification for the company’s more than 1,800 global clients across industries such as financial services, automotive, health, and digital marketing, helping to prevent fraud and cybercrime. A key feature in Experian’s Identity and Fraud solutions, identity verification, plays a vital role in the fight to prevent fraud and cybercrime. Ninety‑six percent of decision makers view identity verification as an important tool in preventing fraud, but 27% of businesses report that their current identity verification strategy negatively impacts legitimate customers and their experience. Mastercard's Identity Insights enriches Experian’s data by verifying and connecting identity elements, aiming to validate individuals' authenticity. When combined with Experian’s advanced fraud-detection capabilities, the integration offers robust protection against synthetic identity and application fraud, enhancing detection while reducing friction for legitimate customers. This solution is available through the Experian Ascend Platform across multiple geographies, including North America and UK & Ireland. The joint solution delivers powerful identity assessment by uniting the Experian Ascend Platform—a decision engine built on Experian’s comprehensive data, strategy design, decision automation, monitoring and reporting—with Mastercard’s Identity Insights for validating identity elements such as name, email, and phone numbers, and analyzing related metadata. The expanded collaboration builds upon the two companies' existing relationship, which has also encompassed open banking-powered solutions; Mastercard's identity solutions can be accessed via Ascend Platform in multiple geographies. "When acquiring new customers, our clients want a frictionless process where both ID and fraud, as well as credit risk, can be assessed as part of a single request that streamlines and speeds the customer experience," said Greg Wright, Executive Vice President of Identity and Fraud, Experian Software Solutions. "Success is measured by helping our clients grow their business while making fast, efficient decisions. By enabling clients with advanced analytics solutions that bring credit, identity, and fraud data into the Ascend Platform, we help them achieve their strategic goals while also driving greater financial inclusion for consumers." Story Continues "For many years, Mastercard and Experian have worked together to empower consumers to take financial control," said Dennis Gamiello, EVP, Identity Solutions at Mastercard. "By integrating Mastercard’s Identity Insights with Experian’s platform insights, we're partnering to streamline the entire customer journey from digital onboarding to fast-tracking secure transactions and reducing fraud." "We believe signing up for electricity should be easy, so we need a system that addresses identity, fraud, and credit risk without adding friction or hassle for our customers," said Laura Persson, General Manager at OhmConnect Energy, a Texas retail electric provider focused on energy savings. "Experian and Mastercard's automated service accomplishes this, so we can make it easy for our customers to enroll and start their energy-saving journey." About Experian Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realize their financial goals and help them to save time and money. We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments. We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 23,300 people across 32 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com. Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian and its affiliates. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250626034254/en/ Contacts Michael Troncale Experian Public Relations +1 714 830 5462 michael.troncale@experian.com View Comments |
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| 25.06.25 14:10:02 | What’s the average car loan length? | |
| Key takeaways A longer loan term means you’ll have a lower monthly payment, but you’ll also pay more in interest. A shorter loan term helps minimize borrowing costs and the risk of being upside-down on your loan. Consider the monthly payment and overall cost of ownership when determining which auto loan term is best for you. High Yield Savings Offers Earn 4.10% APY** on balances of $5,000 or more View Offer Earn up to 4.00% APY with Savings Pods View Offer Earn up to 3.80% APY¹ & up to $300 Cash Bonus with Direct Deposit View Offer Powered by Money.com - Yahoo may earn commission from the links above. Your loan term is the amount of time it takes for you to repay a loan, and it may also affect the auto loan rates you receive. On average, drivers financing a new vehicle had a car loan length of 68.63 months in the first quarter of 2025, while used borrowers had a term of 67.22 months, according to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market. The longer your loan term, the cheaper your monthly payments will be. However, if you have debt with higher interest rates, such as credit cards, you may consider a longer loan term to focus on paying down other balances. What car loan terms can you expect? Terms typically range from 24 to 84 months, although some lenders offer terms up to 96 months. Data from Experian shows that consumers with lower credit scores tend to opt for longer loan terms — likely to take advantage of lower payments — though most loans are for between 60 and 70 months. Credit score New cars Used cars Leased cars 781 to 850 (super prime) 64.25 65.65 35.26 661 to 780 (prime) 71.87 68.49 36.29 601 to 660 (near prime) 74.76 68.19 36.93 501 to 600 (subprime) 73.89 66.07 36.73 300 to 500 (deep subprime) 72.46 63.80 – Borrowers with excellent credit can expect to have the best selection of loan terms with the most favorable interest rates because lenders typically view these loans as less risky. A lower credit score will limit the loan terms available to you. How long should you finance a car for? Your loan term should be based on the amount you can afford each month. Aim to pay as much as you can reasonably afford to cut down on the total cost of your loan, but depending on your credit score and other factors, you may decide that a longer loan term suits your needs despite the higher interest costs. Determine your budget. Consider both your monthly budget and how much you want to pay for the car itself. The general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 20 percent of your take-home pay on an auto loan payment. Shop for preapproval. Most lenders allow you to apply for preapproval without undergoing a hard credit check with the initial application. This allows you to browse vehicles — usually within 30 days of preapproval — and have financing ready to go so you can act like a cash buyer. Calculate borrowing costs. Once you have an idea of the interest rate you’re likely to receive, plug it into an auto loan calculator to view your estimated loan payment. You can also view the amortization table to see how much you will pay per month along with your total interest costs for each loan term. Make a decision. Consider both the monthly payment and the overall cost when deciding which loan term best suits your needs. You may also want to take into account other policies or overall customer satisfaction to choose the best auto loan. Story Continues Learn more: Is your car payment too expensive for your monthly budget? How does the car loan term affect cost? As mentioned, the longer your loan term, the more interest you will pay. If you opt for a short loan term, you’ll have higher monthly payments but spend less overall. This example assumes a $40,000 auto loan with a 6.5 percent interest rate. The shortest term of 36 months will cost you just over $4,000 in interest, while the longest term of 84 months will cost nearly $10,000. Term Monthly payment Total interest paid 36 months $1,226 $4,135 48 months $949 $5,533 60 months $783 $6,959 72 months $672 $8,413 84 months $594 $9,894 Your wallet might appreciate the decreased monthly payment that a long-term loan offers, but the trade-off may not be worth the thousands of dollars you will pay in interest. Long-term vs. short-term car loans If you aren’t sure which term is best for you, consider how the loan will impact your finances. A longer repayment period gives you a lower monthly payment. But this benefit comes at a cost. You’ll pay more in interest over the loan term than you would if you choose a shorter term. Pros and cons of a long car loan term If you’re leaning towards a long-term car loan, here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider to make an informed decision. Pros Lower monthly payment: If your budget is tight, a longer term could make your auto loan payment more manageable. Increased affordability: You may be able to afford a higher-priced vehicle if you opt for a long-term loan. Cons Higher borrowing costs: The lender has more time to collect from you, so you’ll pay more in interest. Risk of being upside-down on your loan: You could find yourself owing more than your vehicle is worth, which is particularly problematic if you plan to sell or trade your vehicle in the near future. Pros and cons of a short car loan term Short-term auto loans also come with key advantages that could make them a better choice for some borrowers. Pros Lower borrowing costs: A shorter loan term means lower interest costs over the loan term. Ownership timeline: Paying the car off over a shorter timeframe also means you’ll own it outright much sooner, potentially avoid the negative impact of depreciation and free up room in your budget. Cons Higher monthly payment: You can expect a steeper monthly payment that can limit you to lower-priced vehicles. Potential budgetary constraints: If you don’t have much wiggle room in your budget, taking on a loan with a shorter term can be risky, especially if you don’t make a sizable down payment. Bankrate tip For some, a long-term loan might be the only way to afford a car. If this is your situation and you have a low credit score, compare multiple lenders to find the best car loan rates for bad credit. Bottom line The average car loan length ranges between 24 and 84 months. The right terms for your needs ultimately depend on how much you can afford to pay each month. Although a shorter term can save you a bundle, it may not be the best fit to finance the car of your dreams. But if you can find a less expensive, comparable model, the compromise may be well worth it in the long run. View Comments |
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| 25.06.25 13:47:43 | What is considered a fair credit score? | |
| Key takeaways The average credit score for Americans is 715 according to FICO, while a fair credit score ranges from 580 to 669. Having a fair credit score can limit your financial opportunities, like getting approved for the best credit cards and loan terms. Fair credit can be caused by factors such as late payments, credit report errors and high credit utilization. Having fair credit may cost you more over time than good or excellent credit, so improving your credit score may save you money in the long run. If you’ve recently found out your credit score falls into the “fair” range — typically between 580 and 669 for FICO scores and 601 to 660 for VantageScore — you’re likely wondering exactly what this means and how it may impact your finances. Luckily, fair credit is better than poor credit. However, it’s still far from the good and excellent ranges. Fair credit may limit your financing options and make qualifying for the best interest rates and loan terms harder. However, with discipline and a few smart strategies, you can build your credit score and eventually access better financial opportunities. What is a fair credit score? As of the most recent data published in April 2025, the average FICO credit score in the U.S. is 715. This places it solidly within the good credit range. In contrast, a fair FICO credit score ranges from 580 to 669, which is 46 points below the national average. Some lenders use VantageScore instead of FICO scores. While they work similarly, the ranges are not the same. The average VantageScore across the U.S. is currently 702, according to data from March 2025. A fair VantageScore — also known as near prime — falls between 601 and 660, which is about 40 points below the average. While fair credit might sometimes be called “average credit,” it’s still below the actual average credit score in America, regardless of whether you’re referring to a FICO score or VantageScore. Having a fair credit score often means you won’t qualify for the best credit cards and loans, although there certainly are credit cards for fair credit as well as some fair credit personal loans. For the most competitive rates, you’ll want to improve your credit score and work on building a positive credit history. Bankrate insight Out of about 225,000 Bankrate users who requested credit card matches on the site in 2023, just over 21 percent fall into the fair credit score range. What is the range of credit scores? Your credit score range is based on the information in your credit history. FICO, the most commonly used credit scoring model, categorizes scores into five groups: Story Continues Exceptional 800–850 Very good 740–799 Good 670–739 Fair 580–669 Poor 300–579 VantageScore categorizes scores into four groups: Super prime 781–850 Prime 661–799 Near prime 601–660 Sub prime 300–600 What causes a fair credit score? A fair credit score can happen for a variety of reasons. While everyone’s credit history is different, if you have a fair credit score, you’re likely dealing with one or more of these factors: A late or missing payment. An account in collections. Credit report errors. Limited credit accounts. High credit utilization. Excessive hard inquiries. Shorter credit history. It can be hard to know exactly what’s impacting your credit score without reviewing your credit report, but tackling these issues may help boost your score. Fair vs. good credit Your financial opportunities get significantly better once you pass the threshold from fair credit into good credit. The difference affects your approval odds for credit cards and loans, how much you’ll pay in interest and even what your monthly payment will be. For example, the average auto loan rate for a fair credit borrower is 9.83 percent, while good credit borrowers have average rates of 6.70 percent. If you decide to take on a $30,000 auto loan with a 36-month term, you’d pay significantly more for the same loan with a fair credit score of 600 than with a good credit score of 700. Good credit Fair credit APR 6.70% 9.83% Monthly payment $590 $635 Total interest paid $5,388 $8,094 On the same note, credit cards for people with good credit typically offer higher rewards, lower interest rates and better perks. With good credit, you’ll also have access to more credit card options. This is generally true across the board — as your credit improves, you generally see rates go down and approval odds go up. Learn more: Bankrate offers a wide range of loan calculators Data point Bankrate users in 2023 who applied for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express with fair credit saw an approval rate of just over 16 percent while Bankrate users with good credit had an approval rate of nearly 29 percent.If you’re in the fair credit range, you’re already better off financially than those with poor credit, but you shouldn’t stop there. One of the best things you can do for yourself is take steps to improve your credit as quickly as possible. What cards can I apply for with fair credit? Many of today’s best rewards credit cards are only available to people with good or excellent credit. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if your score is in the fair range. There are numerous cards for people with fair credit that still provide worthwhile benefits and perks. For example, here are two cards we recommend: Bankrate's CardMatch tool Don’t want to run endless hard credit inquiries to find a credit card for fair credit? Use Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to prequalify for a card that fits your needs without affecting your credit score. Compare top cards How to improve a fair credit score While having a fair credit score is better than having bad credit, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. If you’re looking to bump your score to the good or even excellent ranges, start with these tips: Make all credit card payments on time. Payment history accounts for 35 percent of your FICO score. Avoid late payments, and if you do, try to pay the bill before it is 30 days past due. Catching up quickly can keep late payments from being reported to the three credit bureaus. Keep balances as low as possible. Your credit score is also largely based on credit utilization ratio. Keeping your balance as low as possible decreases your utilization ratio and increases your credit score. Increase available credit. Believe it or not, you can boost your credit score by requesting a credit limit increase or applying for a new credit card. If you have more credit available to you — and if you avoid turning that new credit into new debt — your credit utilization ratio will go down and your credit score should go up. Check credit reports for errors. According to a 2024 report released by Consumer Reports and WorkMoney, 44 percent of Americans who checked their credit reports found at least one error. Inaccurate information could decrease your credit score. Check your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports regularly and dispute any errors you find. As you use credit responsibly, you should see your credit score improve over time. Depending on where you are in your credit-building journey, you could see significant improvement in just a few months. Bottom line A fair score can limit your choices for loans and credit cards and often results in higher interest rates. If you’re ready to focus on improving your score, get started by employing key strategic financial habits, including consistently paying bills on time, keeping balances low and routinely checking your credit report for errors. Having a fair credit score means you’re in a better position than those with poor credit, but there’s still work to be done to reach the good or excellent ranges. View Comments |
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| 23.06.25 22:35:09 | Experian Chooses Amazon (AMZN) AWS to Power Its Cloud and AI Transformation | |
| Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the 10 AI Stocks in the Spotlight. On June 19, the company announced that Experian, a global data and technology company, has selected AWS as its preferred cloud. Experian will be leveraging AWS’s advanced cloud capabilities to offer faster and scalable solutions to deliver deeper insights and more secure data services to its customers. The transition from mainframe computers and multiple on-premises servers to the cloud will help the company centralize its technology platforms in the cloud and use its data to enhance performance, scalability, and data-driven insights.Experian Chooses Amazon (AMZN) AWS to Power Its Cloud and AI Transformation A close-up of a computer monitor showing a complex web of cloud-based technology. The two companies have partnered in a 10-year strategic agreement, with Experian choosing AWS as its strategic partner for generative artificial intelligence (AI) and developing more than 100 generative AI use-cases. The collaboration strengthens Experian’s ability to better serve clients and reinforce its leadership in data and technology. “AWS is delighted to partner with Experian to unlock opportunities that drive innovation, increase agility, and accelerate their modernization. As they build intelligent data platforms, develop cutting-edge applications with generative AI, and gain real-time insights, Experian is demonstrating how organizations can reinvent their operations while maintaining security, compliance, and resilience at scale.” -Scott Mullins, Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Services at AWS. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is an American technology company offering e-commerce, cloud computing, and other services, including digital streaming and artificial intelligence solutions. View Comments |
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| 23.06.25 11:08:49 | Market Chatter: Fair Isaac to Launch New Credit Score Model Incorporating 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Loans | |
| Fair Isaac (FICO) will introduce a new scoring model that includes "buy now, pay later" loans, the PREMIUM Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more. A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles. Upgrade Already have a subscription? Sign in |
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| 19.06.25 15:00:35 | 7 Certifications That Will Boost Your Salary and Cost Less Than Your Car Payment | |
| Whether you consider owning a vehicle a necessity or a privilege, monthly car payments have become a financial burden that even the most dependent of drivers are questioning. Although monthly car payments for new and used vehicles declined slightly from Q4 2023 to Q4 2024, average car payments were still a pricey $742 and $525, respectively, per Experian data. What if we told you that investing less than what you pay for your car could result in a higher income for you? High Yield Savings Offers Earn 4.10% APY** on balances of $5,000 or more View Offer Earn up to 4.00% APY with Savings Pods View Offer Earn up to 3.80% APY¹ & up to $300 Cash Bonus with Direct Deposit View Offer Powered by Money.com - Yahoo may earn commission from the links above. For You: I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: Here’s How I Use ChatGPT To Make a Lot of Money Read Next: Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why While transportation is important, investing in a course to enhance existing skills or a certification program can cost you less than your car payment and help you make more money. Learning and becoming accredited in your field is a smart move that can open doors to new career opportunities. Even a solid personal finance course can help increase your earnings. Here are seven in-demand certifications in several industries that will increase your salary for less than your average car payment. Building Construction, Design and Operations LEED Accredited Professional (AP) certification cost: $250 (prerequisite LEED Green Associate exam), $350 (LEED AP specialty exam) Average base salary: $72,642 See also: Professional Engineer (PE) If you don’t have an engineering background, another route to specialization and a salary boost in the building or construction industry is to go green and get your LEED Accredited Professional (AP) certification. Sustainable building and design are growing fields that are accessible to anyone willing to put in some study time and a few hundred dollars for testing. Certification as a LEED Green Associate, then a LEED AP, will cost you $600 total, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Explore More: Here’s How To Use AI To Quickly Start a Side Gig, According to Codie Sanchez Project Management Project Management Professional (PMP) certification cost: $425 (PMI Member), $675 (Non-Member) Average base salary: $122,388 See also: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) According to its “Earning Power” salary survey, the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that respondents with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification reported a 33% higher median salary than those without. Earning your PMP certification increases your salary and job opportunities in many industry jobs, demonstrates an ability to lead people and projects and shows a commitment to expanding your knowledge. Story Continues Accounting, Business and Finance Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification cost: $2,400 to $3,500 total (3 levels) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification cost: $1,400 (depending on state licensing fee) Average base salary: $100,458; $91,980 See also: Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Two accounting certifications can enhance your career and skill sets and boost your salary considerably: a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate. Both are worthwhile depending on your chosen career path, whether you want to specialize in investment management and analysis or financial reporting, taxation and auditing. Both can increase your income potential or allow you to work in a role you find more interesting or fulfilling. Information Security Analysis and Cybersecurity CompTIA Security+ certification cost: $404 Average base salary: $71,689 See also: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the information security industry is predicted to grow 33% between 2022 and 2032 and the median pay for analysts in 2024 was $124,910. The need for cybersecurity experts has never been greater. Although the CISSP certificate might look better on your resume, a CompTIA Security+ certification — which demonstrates one’s ability to audit an organization’s security, monitor and secure cloud, mobile and internet of things environments — is easier and cheaper to get. Google Certifications (Digital Marketing and E-Commerce, Data Analytics) Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Professional certification cost: $0 (free trial) to $49 a month Data Analytics certification cost: $0 (free trial) to $49 a month Average salary: $52,948; $81,518 See also: Project Management, Cybersecurity, IT Support, UX Design, Google Ads Google offers loads of Career Certificates (through Coursera) for those wanting to find a skill-based job or advance or switch their careers. Based on a 2024 Google program graduate survey, 75% of certificate graduates report a positive career outcome (career advancement including landing a promotion, salary increase, new job or career switch) within six months of completion. Salary expectations might not equal those obtained from traditional institutes (such as the Project Management Certificate) but employers are increasingly welcoming candidates who have completed a Google Career Certificate and the cost (free 7-day trial, then $49 per month) and time (typically two to six months) required to obtain a certificate in a popular field like Digital Marketing and E-Commerce or Data Analytics can’t be beat. Editor’s note: Average base salaries were sourced from ZipRecruiter. More From GOBankingRates 6 Costco Products That Have the Most Customer Complaints Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks I'm a Retired Boomer: 6 Bills I Canceled This Year That Were a Waste of Money This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Certifications That Will Boost Your Salary and Cost Less Than Your Car Payment View Comments |
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| 19.06.25 13:00:00 | Experian Accelerates Migration to AWS to Drive Innovation with Generative AI | |
| Global data and technology leader expands its cloud footprint to enhance performance and reliability, using AWS analytics and AI capabilities to give financial organizations access to real-time intelligence SEATTLE, June 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), today announced that Experian, a global data and technology company, is embarking on the next phase of its cloud migration and has selected AWS as its preferred cloud. By leveraging AWS’s advanced cloud capabilities, Experian can provide faster, more scalable solutions that empower clients with deeper insights and more secure data services. Experian's cloud first strategy, in partnership with AWS, accelerates innovation by enhancing performance, scalability, and reliability, while enabling the company to better serve its clients with innovative products and solutions. By migrating off mainframe computers and moving multiple on-premises servers to the cloud, Experian is able to centralize its technology platforms in the cloud and use its data to drive deeper insights and predictive capabilities. Leveraging AWS's robust infrastructure, Experian can quickly adapt to evolving client needs, ensuring secure and efficient data handling. As part of this new 10-year strategic agreement, Experian has selected AWS as their strategic partner for generative artificial intelligence (AI), developing more than 100 generative AI use-cases. This collaboration will drive operational efficiency, democratize data technologies for employees, and develop new credit and financial analytics offerings. With the integration of generative AI, Experian is streamlining the complex process of database migrations, automating and optimizing the transfer of vast datasets, reducing downtime, improving data accuracy, and further solidifying its position as a leader in the global data and technology industry. "AWS is delighted to partner with Experian to unlock opportunities that drive innovation, increase agility, and accelerate their modernization," said Scott Mullins, Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Services at AWS. "As they build intelligent data platforms, develop cutting-edge applications with generative AI, and gain real-time insights, Experian is demonstrating how organizations can reinvent their operations while maintaining security, compliance, and resilience at scale." "Our initial migrations gave us enhanced performance, security, and reliability, making it an easy choice to take that a step farther and embrace a cloud-first strategy," said Rodrigo Rodrigues, Chief Technology Officer at Experian. "Having our data readily available in the cloud sets us up to invest in new capabilities like generative AI and advance products and solutions for our clients with proven security. By moving to AWS, we've reduced our data processing time by 60%, improved our ability to launch new products from months to weeks, and can now analyze credit data in real-time to better serve our customers." Story Continues By leveraging AWS's robust security controls and advanced threat detection and mitigation capabilities, Experian can ensure the highest levels of data protection and regulatory compliance. Together, Experian and AWS are committed to creating transformative experiences that benefit both businesses and consumers, fostering growth, trust, and innovation across the digital landscape. About Amazon Web Services Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 117 Availability Zones within 37 geographic regions, with announced plans for 13 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in Chile, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. About Experian Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realise their financial goals and help them to save time and money. We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments. We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 23,300 people across 32 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250619029263/en/ Contacts Media Contacts: AWS: Naomi Little njlittle@amazon.com 1 771 233 2089 Experian: Scott Anderson Scott.n.anderson@experian.com 1 949 531 1783 View Comments |
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| 17.06.25 20:35:09 | Average auto loan interest rates by credit score in 2025 | |
| Key takeaways The average auto loan interest rate for new cars in the first quarter of 2025 was 6.73 percent, while the average used car loan interest rate was 11.87 percent. Your credit score plays a significant role in determining your interest rate, but other factors such as the lender, amount borrowed, length of the loan and economic conditions also play a role. The best way to secure a competitive interest rate on your auto loan is to shop around and work to improve your credit score. Advertisement: High Yield Savings Offers Earn 4.10% APY** on balances of $5,000 or more View Offer Earn up to 4.00% APY with Savings Pods View Offer Earn up to 3.80% APY¹ & up to $300 Cash Bonus with Direct Deposit View Offer Powered by Money.com - Yahoo may earn commission from the links above. It’s important to factor in your interest rate when budgeting to purchase a new vehicle. According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average auto loan interest rate for new cars in the first quarter of 2025 was 6.73 percent, while the average used car loan interest rate was 11.87 percent. Typically, a lower credit score will lead to a higher annual percentage rate (APR), and a higher APR will increase the cost of your car by hundreds of dollars. You don’t need a perfect credit score to get a reasonable rate, though. You can save on your loan by shopping around for the best auto loan rates and improving your credit score. Average auto loan interest rates by credit score FICO score New car loans Used car loans Superprime (781 to 850) 5.18% 6.82% Prime (661 to 780) 6.70% 9.06% Near prime (601 to 660) 9.83% 13.74% Subprime (501 to 600) 13.22% 18.99% Deep subprime (300 to 500) 15.81% 21.58% Borrowers with the highest scores receive the lowest rates, but it’s possible to get a good rate without a perfect score. Lenders consider several factors when determining interest rates, including your credit score. By improving your score for a car loan, you can save money by qualifying you for a better rate. There isn’t a significant difference between a superprime borrower and a prime borrower, but rates increase significantly if you fall outside of the prime range. Why does the interest rate matter on a car loan? Interest is the price you pay each month to borrow money. The higher your interest rate, the more you pay overall for your loan. Even reducing your interest rate by a fraction of a percentage point can save you hundreds of dollars. For example, we calculated the cost of a car loan with a $30,000 balance and a term of 60 months. A borrower with excellent credit will pay around $150 less per month than a borrower with poor credit — and may end up saving over $11,000 in interest over the life of the loan. Average new car loan interest rate Monthly payment Total interest paid 5.18% $569 $4,117 6.70% $590 $5,388 9.83% $635 $8,094 13.22% $686 $11,159 15.81% $727 $13,591 Factors that affect auto loan interest rates While your credit score plays a large part in determining your interest rate, there are other factors to consider. Story Continues Your finances The two most common credit scores used when underwriting car loans are the FICO score and VantageScore, although some lenders may use an auto industry-specific scoring system instead. These scores consider risk factors associated with your likelihood of repaying an auto loan. Higher scores generally get lower rates. Lenders will also consider your income and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. DTI measures the percentage of your income going toward paying off existing debts. A high DTI could indicate you’re not in a position to take on a car loan. Similarly, your income needs to be high enough to manage your car payments in addition to your current bills and expenses. Type of lender It can be tempting to go with dealer financing since it can be the most convenient option, but you have a choice of a bank or dealership loan. Getting financing from the dealership often means less paperwork overall. However, you may find more favorable rates from a bank, credit union or online lender. Regardless of which option you choose, different lenders have different credit underwriting criteria. All will consider your credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio, but lenders differ on what they find acceptable. Some may also consider your education or professional experience. Loan-to-value ratio Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio compares the amount of your loan to the value of the car you are financing. Some lenders offer LTVs of over 100 percent, meaning they will loan you more than the cost of the vehicle. You can use this extra loan money to cover taxes or other expenses related to buying a car, but keep in mind that whatever you borrow will need to be paid back with interest. Taking out a loan with a high LTV poses numerous risks, including significantly increasing your chances of becoming upside-down on your car loan. It’s also an expensive way to borrow money that starts your new auto loan with negative equity. The best way to protect your finances is to make a good down payment and finance only what you absolutely need. Economic and market conditions Broader market factors also play a role in setting the industry’s minimum rates. When the federal funds rate is high, as dictated by the Federal Reserve, it costs lenders more to borrow money. In turn, you are likely to face higher interest rates. Following three cuts in 2024, the current fed funds target rate is 4.25 to 4.5 percent. These cuts came after nearly two years of steady rate hikes and should result in lower rates for most financial products, including auto loans. While the Federal Reserve didn’t raise or lower the rate during the most recent FOMC meeting in May, there may be changes over the course of the year, so keep an eye on the market. If you have strong credit, experts forecasted auto loan rates may see a decent decrease through 2025. However, those with poor credit are less likely to see relief. If that’s you, focus on comparing bad credit auto loan rates. Vehicle age and features Lenders set restrictions on the vehicles they will finance and generally won’t finance vehicles over ten years old or with more than 100,000 miles. There can be other limits as well, generally based on criteria such as the brand, vehicle condition or value of the vehicle. Your lender may also limit where you can purchase your vehicle. For instance, some independent dealerships cannot offer manufacturer financing. Similarly, companies like Carvana will only finance vehicles you purchase through their car-buying service. How to get a better auto loan interest rate There are a few ways to improve your chances of getting a reasonable interest rate, regardless of your credit score. Prequalify with multiple lenders. Apply with at least three lenders before choosing one. Most lenders offer either a preapproval or prequalification process so you can view your rates without causing multiple hard pulls on your credit. This tactic may also help you score competitive auto loan rates. Make a larger down payment. A down payment decreases the amount you need to borrow. This means the lender takes on less risk, translating to lower interest rates. Experts recommend aiming for at least 20 percent of the car’s purchase price, although the average down payment sits between 10 percent and 20 percent of the purchase price. Get a cosigner. If you have a lower credit score, consider asking a family member or trusted friend with an excellent credit score to cosign your auto loan. Your cosigner will assume the debt if you cannot pay it back, which means the lender has less risk. Choose a short loan term. While your loan’s term does not directly impact your interest rate, it does affect how much total interest you pay. Longer terms mean paying interest for longer, while shorter terms can save you money. Improve your credit score. Higher credit scores consistently get better interest rates, and the difference can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings. Building your credit score takes time, but it also involves steps like lowering your DTI, which is important for qualifying for an auto loan. Bottom line The lowest car loan rates are typically reserved for borrowers with near-perfect credit scores. While you are not guaranteed to get the rate corresponding to your credit bracket, it is great for comparison purposes when shopping around for a good deal. To get started, prequalify for an auto loan with lenders online and offline to see the rates you may be eligible for. View Comments |
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