Using data to drive financial inclusion
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with a history dating back 125 years, Experian is well positioned to help individuals take financial control of their lives, assist businesses in making smarter decisions, guiding lenders to lend responsibly, and supporting organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
The World Bank estimates that about 1.7 billion adults around the world do not have access to a bank. Most of them are in the Asia Pacific region. In Southeast Asia, which has a population of more than 600 million, less than half (about 48%), have access to a bank account, which means they are unable to save or borrow money to start a business. Financial inclusion is a priority at Experian Asia Pacific, which means ensuring that everyone is given equal access to essential financial services.
At Experian Asia Pacific, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is deeply ingrained in its company culture. In Asia Pacific, a network of Impact Officers, described as “super purpose-driven leaders from all backgrounds”. These Impact Officers work closely with employees, local communities, and non-profit organisations to make a difference through various products and partnerships and drive sustainable programmes on a long-term basis.
Experian Asia Pacific is committed to leveraging its tools and data expertise to help people most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its corporate social responsibility programme helps vulnerable communities in Australia, Greater China, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam by working closely with local partners to develop sustainable initiatives that deliver impact over the long term.
Various initiatives were mobilised by the Experian Asia Pacific team during the pandemic, including a global employee fundraising drive for employees and communities most impacted by COVID-19 in India. The team rallied to donate repurposed laptops to the underprivileged in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, and enabling over 400 million minutes of talk time for over 2.4 million people in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam by partnering with its clients, enabling consumers to stay connected throughout the crisis.
More importantly, while current social distancing regulations have restricted face-to-face volunteering, it has not dampened Experian Asia Pacific’s enthusiasm for giving back to their communities. Its employees still found a way to contribute thousands of volunteering hours via the company’s virtual volunteering campaign called #Map1Million. This virtual campaign enables employees to map previously unmapped areas so that aid workers can reach vulnerable communities.
In addition, United for Financial Health, Experian’s global CSR programme, will soon launch in Asia Pacific in late 2021, with Experian Asia Pacific partnering non-profit organisations to provide tools and resources to uplift and educate consumers and protect consumers from fraud and identity theft. The goal is to reach thousands of people in the region and deliver support for those marginalised by COVID-19.
“Most companies are engaged in some form of CSR. But as a company whose core business is managing vast quantities of data, Experian is uniquely positioned to identity vulnerable communities in need and render assistance the way most companies are not able to.”
