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Rising cost of living and low economic growth continue to negatively impact South African consumers – Experian Report

11 December 2023: : According to the latest Experian Consumer Default Index (CDIx) for Q3, the composite CDI has shown a significant year-on-year deterioration from 3.69 to 4.88, a relative decline of 32%, indicating that consumers are increasingly struggling to meet their debt obligations amidst the rising cost of living.

Experian and MTN’s Chenosis announce unique partnership to drive financial inclusion in South Africa

Johannesburg, 17 October 2023: In a first of its kind partnership, Experian, one of the largest credit bureaus in South Africa and Chenosis, a cross-industry Application Programming Interface (API) marketplace, a MTN Platform Company, have joined forces to leverage data to drive financial inclusion in South Africa.

Create a better financial future by getting smart about your credit

17 October 2023: The 19th of October serves as a reminder of the importance of credit awareness. Get Smart About Credit Day emphasises the need to reflect on and take control of one's financial behaviour, regardless of whether an individual is starting their credit journey or has been credit active for a considerable period

Macroeconomic environment and increasing debt levels outweigh improved GDP growth in Q2 – Experian report

Johannesburg, 12 October 2023: The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI), which reflects the overall health of businesses in the economy, declined in Q2 to 0.445 from a slightly upwardly revised 0.740 in Q1.

Business can unlock growth opportunities through enhanced data insights, advanced analytics and innovation - Experian Innovation Summit

Johannesburg, 14 September 2023: Experian South Africa hosted its annual flagship conference today, bringing together industry guests and subject matter experts under one roof to share insights and trends that continue to shape the evolution of business and consumer behaviour.

An increasing number of South African women are using credit – Experian Report

Johannesburg, 30 August 2023: According to the latest Experian Consumer Default Index (CDIx) for Q2, South African women account for half of the total amount of consumers on the credit bureau. This means that in terms of being credit active, women are fairly represented in the credit economy. From a credit exposure perspective however, only R0.8 trillion out of the full R2.18 trillion in outstanding debt is associated with women.

Up your financial game with Experian’s new free financial wellness web app

Johannesburg, 15 August 2023: Experian, one of the largest credit bureaus in South Africa, has launched Up, a free credit, budgeting and learning experience web-based app, that aims to help South Africans take control of their financial health.

How effective budgeting can help you save and improve your financial health

Johannesburg, 27 July 2023: Taking control of your financial health through effective budgeting can be beneficial and liberating. By creating a budget and smartly managing your expenses, you can ensure that your hard-earned money lasts longer and works towards securing a prosperous future.

South African businesses demonstrate resilience in Q1 2023 – Experian Report

18 July 2023:  The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI), which reflects the relative ability for business to pay their outstanding suppliers/creditors, indicating the overall health of businesses in the economy, declined at a better-than-expected rate for Q1 of 2023. The decline to 0.721 from an upwardly revised 1.086 reading for Q4 2022, is attributed to a better-than-expected economic performance for the period

Most and Least Affluent South Africans Hit the Hardest as Challenging Economy weighs down on consumers – Experian Report

20 June 2023: The latest Experian Consumer Default Index (CDI), showed a return to the former trend of long-term deterioration, expedited by the rapid increase in living expenses experienced by South African consumers and exacerbated by the significantly intensified load shedding applied by Eskom during 2023 Q1

Experian data - Electricity load shedding draining South African businesses

19 April 2023: The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI) unsurprisingly declined sharply to a reading of 0.996 in Q4 2022 from 1.591 in Q3. 

South African consumers urged to establish sound financial habits to get through tough times

22 March 2023: The Experian Consumer Default Index (CDI) showed a quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) deterioration from 3.66 in September 2022 to 3.93 in December 2022, indicating that South African consumers remain under financial pressure.

Solid improvement in SA business debt conditions in Q3 – Experian data

18 December 2022: There has been a strong improvement in South African business debt conditions in Q3, according to new insight from Experian South Africa.

Consumers, now more than ever, need to develop positive financial habits that will see them through challenging times

7 December 2022: South African consumers remain under financial pressure, according to latest Experian CDI report

Decline in SA business debt conditions in Q2 – Experian data

3 November 2022: There has been a decline in business debt conditions in Q2, with this downward trajectory likely to continue in the coming quarters, according to new insight from Experian South Africa. 

First-time consumer credit defaults rise in Q2, but continue to show improvement Y-o-Y

11 October 2022: The rate people defaulted on their loans for the first time increased in the second quarter of 2022, according to Experian South Africa’s Consumer Default Index (CDI). 

Enhancing business using data, analytics and decisioning

8 September 2022: Experian South Africa hosted its annual client conference in Johannesburg today which brought together experts and  industry guests to discuss  the latest credit trends and highlight how business and consumer behaviour has evolved since the onset of Covid. Attendees were given insights into how to achieve more in their businesses by improving decisions and strategies, reducing risk and fraud, and enhancing data, analytics, software, and technology.

Solid improvement in SA business debt conditions in Q1 – Experian data

16 August 2022: The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI) increased in Q1 from Q4 2021, rising to 1.435 from an upwardly revised 0.970.

First-time consumer credit defaults increase in Q1 2022

27 July 2022: Jaco van Jaarsveldt explains that the rate people defaulted on their loans for the first time has decreased in the first quarter of the year according to our Consumer Default Index (CDI).

Why a business credit report is invaluable for SMEs

26 January 2022: SMEs continue to be a driving force of inclusive economic growth and job creation in the country. Understanding the role of a business credit report and enhanced financial and credit education initiatives are important to help SMEs to stay in business and grow their profits contributing to the financial health of the whole socioeconomic ecosystem they form. 

First-time consumer credit defaults improve in Q2 2021

25 August 2021: Jaco van Jaarsveldt explains that the rate people defaulted on their loans for the first time has decreased in the second quarter of the year according to our Consumer Default Index (CDI).

The role of the credit bureaus in South Africa

27 July 2021: Annelene Dippenaar, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Experian Africa, explains the role of credit bureaus in South Africa and how the operate under the various legislations such as the National Credit Act (NCA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). 

Business debt conditions show signs of improvement in Q1 – Experian data

24 June 2021: Jaco van Jaarsveldt, Chief Decision Analytics Officer at Experian Africa, explains that business conditions are moving in the right direction as the economy recovers from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Consumer debt surges to R1.9 trillion in South Africa

15 June 2021: The rate people defaulted on their loans for the first time increased in the first quarter of the year, according to Experian South Africa’s Consumer Default Index (CDI).

Understanding your credit score and how it works

31 May 2021: Annelene Dippenaar, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Experian Africa, explain why it's important to understand your credit score, how it works and how to build a good credit score.

The importance of alternative data in a tough lending environment

11 May 2021: Jaco van Jaarsveldt, Chief Decision Analytics Officer at Experian Africa, explains the difference between traditional and alternative credit data and scores as well as the impact that COVID-19 has had on the traditional criteria when assessing risk.

Be wary of credit repair scammers on the prowl

26 March 2021: Last year was a challenging year for us all. It’s been just over 12 months since the Minister of Health announced the first confirmed COVID-19 case in South Africa. As lockdown posed many restrictions, scammers have come up with innovative ways to deceive people, and we’ve seen an increase in some posing as ‘credit repair agents’.

Rate of first-time consumer credit defaults improves in Q4

24 March 2021: Insights from Experian South Africa show the rate that people defaulted on their loans fell at the end of last year, primarily due to a combination of the impact of payment holidays and lenders tightening their criteria.

Experian South Africa data incident update

1 September 2020, Johannesburg: Experian continues to investigate the isolated incident in South Africa involving a fraudulent data inquiry. As a part of this investigation, we have identified files which we believe contain Experian data relating to the incident on the internet. We continue to investigate these files and will take all steps available to us to reduce further dissemination if possible. We can confirm that a criminal case was opened last week in South Africa and the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement.

Experian South Africa curtails data incident

19 August 2020: Experian South Africa is continuing to investigate an isolated incident in South Africa involving a fraudulent data inquiry.

Consumer debt in South Africa increases to R1.5 Trillion

1 July 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the Experian Consumer Default Index reaching its highest level in five years with R20.73bn defaulted for first time over the period Jan 2020 to Apr 2020.

Payment holidays – what does this mean for consumers and their credit report?

22 June 2020: To help ease the financial pressures experienced during this time, most banks have introduced payment holidays for consumers and SME’s experiencing challenges that meet the specific banks’ applicable criteria. 

Why retail credit is so important for the South African market – the impact of COVID-19

22 June 2020: Through tracking and analysis of the emerging patterns in the credit and related industries, we see early indicators of what is to come over the next few months.

Credit Management Insights 2020

Thursday 27 February 2020, Business Day

Consumer Default Index Q4

28 February 2020: Latest Consumer Default Index Q4

Challenging businesses to think differently about customer engagement

01 February 2020: Experian's 2020 Global Identity & Fraud Report explores inconsistencies between businesses' views of their ability to meet their customers' needs, and customer experiences with those businesses.

Experian’s Business Debt Index

Johannesburg, 12 December 2019: The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI) improved moderately in Q3 from Q2, rising to a reading of -0.18, from -0.35 in Q2.

Consumer Debt in South Africa

Johannesburg, 27 November 2019: Experian South Africa has released its Consumer Default Index (CDI) for Q3, which saw the overall index increase from 3.76% in the second quarter to 3.93% in September 2019, amounting to R1.72 Trillion in outstanding debt.

Experian, Absa and Township Fleva join forces to drive financial inclusion

Johannesburg, 20 November 2019: Joining forces, Experian South Africa, Absa and Township Fleva, today launched project Spana, an annual programme developed to provide small business loans to local entrepreneurs in Gauteng townships.

10 Top Tips to be More Credit Conscious

Johannesburg, 16 October 2019: What does it mean to be financially responsible? As a general rule, you need to live within your means and your expenses should not exceed your income. A big part of this is to manage your credit responsibly and to keep on top of your payments – the way you manage credit can impact your ability to get future loans, like finance for a car, a bond for a house or even a cell phone contract.

Access to Consumer Credit Information for the Purpose of Employment or Recruitment

Johannesburg, 15 October 2019: Subscribers who access consumer credit information for employment vetting purposes should take note of the recent Circular 4/2019 issued by the National Credit Regulator setting out the requirements for data access.

When an enquiry is performed in terms of Regulation 18(4)(g) for the purpose of employment, it may only be done for a position that requires honesty in dealing with cash or finances and the job description of such position needs to be clearly outlined. It is thus the responsibility of the credit bureau to ensure the compliance of our subscribers with Regulation 19(12) of the Act.

Growing 'confidence gap' hampers fraud detection and resilience

Johannesburg, 19 September 2019: There is a growing ‘confidence gap’ between how well businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) believe their fraud prevention performance is optimised and the reality, according to new commissioned research by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Experian.

Click here to access the report

Debt Relief Interventions for Overly Indebted Consumers Signed into Legislation

Johannesburg, 26 August 2019: In an effort to aid overburdened low-income citizens, on 15 August 2019, President Ramaphosa signed the National Credit Amendment Act, 7 of 2019 which brings about debt relief interventions for overly indebted consumers.

Experian SA acquires Compuscan and Scoresharp

Johannesburg, 1 May 2019: Experian today completed its historic acquisition of Compuscan and Scoresharp. The combined organisation will spur financial inclusion across the African region, bringing more people into the credit economy and helping create a better tomorrow for millions of people.