Market Pulse is a monthly podcast by Equifax, in partnership with Moody’s Analytics. Equifax hosts bring you interviews with industry experts on the latest economic and credit insights that can help drive better business decisions. Whether you’re in financial, mortgage, auto or another service industry, we help make sense of the latest economic conditions that impact you. This podcast series supplements our Market Pulse webinars, which occur on the first Thursday of each month.
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October 29, 2026Episode 8536 min
Holiday Spending Outlook: Are Consumers Feeling the Pinch?
Consumer spending remains resilient, but are Americans really on solid financial ground? Equifax Advisors Dave Sojka, Maria Urtubey and Jesse Hardin examine the K-shaped economy, rising credit pressures and shifting consumer behavior heading into the holiday shopping season. Justin Begley, economist at Moody’s Analytics, provides a macroeconomic update. From credit card utilization and home equity borrowing to regional spending differences and the disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual spending, the team explores what the latest economic and credit trends reveal about the American consumer—and what lenders and financial institutions should be watching. Plus, a round of Headline or Hallucination uncovers surprising trends in auto loans, hiring and housing affordability. Reach out to the Equifax Advisors with questions or show ideas: theadvisors@equifax.com
October 11, 2026Episode 8445 min
Shaping What’s Next in Credit Reporting
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion share where credit reporting and credit scoring go next. On this Equifax Market Pulse podcast, Joel Rickman, Michele Bodda and Satyan Merchant share what each credit bureau brings, how richer data helps borrowers qualify, and what’s next.
October 1, 2026Episode 8340 min
Affordability: What Consumers are Really Experiencing
Affordability is top of mind for lenders—but broad economic indicators don't always tell the full story. In this episode of Market Pulse , the Equifax Advisors share what they're hearing from customers and explore the latest Market Pulse Index and credit trends to understand how inflation, debt, income and financial stability are affecting different consumer populations. Plus, the team puts their economic instincts to the test with another round of “Headline or Hallucination.”
September 3, 2026Episode 8236 min
Debt, Delinquencies & the Divided Consumer
The U.S. consumer is sending mixed signals. In this episode of Market Pulse , the Equifax Advisors examine the latest economic and credit trends, from persistent inflation and rising household pressures to changing debt, delinquency and HELOC behavior. They also explore the widening differences among consumers—and the leading indicators lenders should watch to identify risk and uncover opportunities for selective growth.
August 20, 2026Episode 8129 min
Moody’s Economic Update: The Economy Beneath the Headlines
The U.S. economy has remained remarkably resilient, but beneath the headline numbers, consumers are experiencing very different realities. Moody’s Analytics economist Justin Begley joins Equifax’s Olivia Voltaggio to examine the outlook for the labor market, growing stress among subprime borrowers, the persistent K-shaped economy and the housing affordability challenge. They also discuss what these trends mean for credit demand, delinquencies and the economic indicators lenders should be watching as they balance risk with opportunities for growth.
July 23, 2026Episode 8047 min
How the K-Shaped Economy is Reshaping Financial Services
Consumer wealth has reached record highs—but the average American isn't experiencing that growth equally. In this episode, Tom O'Neill sits down with IXI Chief Strategy Officer Ian Wright to examine the growing K-shaped economy, where some households continue building wealth while others struggle with affordability and rising debt. Together, they explore what these trends mean for financial institutions, the coming Great Wealth Transfer, Gen Z banking behaviors, and how lenders can better prepare for a rapidly changing consumer landscape. In this episode: Why doesn't average consumer data tell the full story? Average figures can mask significant differences between consumer groups. Although overall consumer wealth has increased substantially, median household wealth has declined, indicating many households have not shared equally in that growth. Financial institutions benefit from looking beyond averages to better understand customer risk and opportunity, according to Equifax advisors. How can financial institutions prepare for changing consumer wealth trends? Financial institutions should build relationships with future wealth holders before assets transfer, develop digital experiences that meet younger consumers where they are, support family financial planning, and use deeper consumer insights rather than relying solely on traditional demographic or credit metrics. What role does the Market Pulse Index play in understanding consumers? The Market Pulse Index combines multiple measures—including wealth, income, credit health and financial durability—to provide a more complete picture of consumer financial well-being than any single metric alone. It helps identify which households are thriving, struggling or moving between those groups.
July 16, 2026Episode 7931 min
Combating Small Business Fraud in an AI-Powered World
Small business fraud is evolving — and fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, from synthetic identities to AI-generated documents and digital deception. In this episode of Market Pulse , Equifax’s David Adams talks with Jill Molitor, Director of Fraud and Credit Administration at Stearns Bank, about how lenders can balance faster decisioning with stronger fraud prevention. In this episode: How are fraudsters using AI to target small businesses? Fraudsters are increasingly using AI and digital tools to create synthetic identities, falsified documents and more sophisticated fraud schemes. These tactics can make fraudulent businesses appear legitimate, requiring lenders to look beyond traditional verification methods, according to Stearns Bank. What is synthetic identity fraud in business lending? Stearns Bank describes synthetic identity fraud as a “Frankenstein” identity — where fraudsters combine fabricated or manipulated information to create a person or business profile that appears real. These identities may establish credit history before eventually defaulting, leaving lenders with limited recourse. Can AI solve fraud detection challenges? Equifax and Stearns Bank discuss how AI and machine learning can help identify suspicious patterns, unusual activity and potential risks. However, technology alone is not enough. Human expertise remains critical for evaluating context, reducing false positives and making informed decisions.
June 25, 2026Episode 7842 min
What the Equifax Market Pulse Index Reveals About the U.S. Consumer
What does the Equifax Market Pulse Index reveal about the true financial health of American consumers? Equifax Advisors Emmaline Aliff, Jesse Hardin and Tom O'Neill explore how the Market Pulse Index uncovers financial stress and resilience that traditional economic measures often miss. The conversation examines the growing K-shaped economy, the "illusion of the average," generational wealth trends, and why factors such as assets, cash flow, and financial capacity provide a more complete picture of consumer health than GDP or credit scores alone. In this episode: What is the Equifax Market Pulse Index? The Equifax Market Pulse Index is a multidimensional measure of consumer financial health that combines credit behavior, income, assets, debt, and financial capacity. Unlike traditional economic indicators, it provides a more complete view of a consumer's ability to withstand financial stress and navigate economic change. Why doesn't GDP tell the full story of consumer financial health? GDP measures spending activity, but it doesn't reveal how consumers are financing their lifestyles. According to Equifax experts, strong spending by higher-income households can mask growing financial stress among middle- and lower-income consumers who may be relying on credit or depleting savings to keep up with rising costs. How can lenders use the Market Pulse Index to improve decision-making? The Market Pulse Index helps lenders look beyond traditional credit scores by incorporating a broader view of financial health. This allows organizations to identify consumers whose financial fundamentals remain strong despite short-term pressures, helping uncover opportunities while managing risk more effectively. What opportunity should businesses and lenders be paying attention to? According to Equifax, precision targeting is becoming increasingly important. Organizations that can identify financially resilient consumers using multidimensional data may be better positioned to grow portfolios, improve customer experiences, and uncover opportunities that traditional metrics alone might overlook.
May 7, 2026Episode 7739 min
Understanding the K-Shaped Economy in 2026
The Equifax Advisory team breaks down the realities behind today’s “K-shaped” economy—from rising consumer debt and delinquencies to lending risk and shifting borrower behavior. With insights on everything from interest rates and inflation to auto loans and student debt, the team translates complex economic signals into practical guidance for lenders and business leaders. In this episode: What is a K-shaped economy? A K-shaped economy describes a split recovery where higher-income consumers gain financial strength while lower-income groups face increasing financial stress. Why is consumer debt rising in 2026? Consumer debt is increasing due to higher living costs, reliance on credit cards, and uneven wage growth across income groups. How are delinquencies impacting lenders right now? Delinquencies—especially in auto and credit cards—are rising among subprime borrowers, making early risk detection and portfolio monitoring critical for lenders. What should lenders watch in today’s economy? Lenders should monitor credit use, debt-to-income ratios, and early indicators like credit card behavior to anticipate shifts in borrower risk. How does inflation affect different income groups? Higher-income households can typically absorb inflation, while lower-income consumers feel the impact more acutely through rising costs and limited financial flexibility.
March 26, 2026Episode 7644 min
Auto Market Trends: Affordability, EVs & What’s Next
Emmaline Aliff sits down with Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb to unpack the forces reshaping today’s auto market—from affordability pressures and credit expansion to the growing wave of used EVs. As consumers navigate rising costs and lenders adapt to shifting risk, the conversation explores what’s really driving demand—and what dealers and lenders should watch next. In this episode: What is driving the current auto market in 2026? The auto market is being shaped by a mix of macroeconomic forces, including inflation, interest rates, tariffs, and consumer affordability challenges. At the same time, credit availability is expanding, creating a complex environment where demand persists despite financial pressure. What is a K-shaped economy and how does it impact auto buyers? A K-shaped economy means higher-income consumers are thriving while lower-income consumers face increasing financial strain. In the auto market, this results in strong demand for high-end vehicles while affordability challenges push many buyers toward used cars—or out of the market entirely. Why is affordability such a major issue in the auto industry right now? Affordability is being impacted by rising vehicle prices, higher interest rates, increased insurance costs, and ongoing inflation. These combined factors are making it harder for many consumers to purchase or finance a vehicle. How is credit availability increasing despite consumer financial pressure? Lenders are expanding access by offering longer loan terms, financing lower down payments, and taking on more subprime risk. While this increases access to credit, it can also introduce additional long-term financial strain for consumers. What should dealers and lenders watch for in the second half of the year? Key indicators include interest rate changes, inflation trends, mortgage activity, and continued consumer demand. Lower rates and improved economic conditions could unlock stronger sales.
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