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TransUnion appoints Avishek Ghosh as Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Asia Pacific

by Contributor May 28, 2026

written by Contributor

Manila – Global information and insights company and the Philippines’ first comprehensive private credit reference agency, TransUnion (NYSE: TRU), announced today the appointment of Avishek Ghosh as Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) for Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, he will lead the region’s data and analytics strategy, overseeing the end-to-end data value chain – from acquisition, analytics and modeling to insight generation and quality enhancement – to drive innovation and supporting sustainable business growth.

Avishek has more than 17 years of experience in global banking, combining strong international exposure across Hong Kong, India and the United Kingdom with extensive cross‑regional collaboration spanning Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Americas. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Vice President at HSBC, where he led the unsecured lending business across nine Asian markets. Avishek holds a master’s degree in statistics from the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata.

He brings deep expertise in advanced analytics and data science leadership, with a proven track record of applying emerging data technologies to shape product strategy and deliver measurable outcomes. This background in data innovation aligns closely with TransUnion’s evolution from a traditional credit reference agency to a trusted information and insights partner, enabling organizations to view consumer identity holistically through diverse data assets and helping them to make informed decisions with confidence, which forms the foundation of trust in the modern economy.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for TransUnion Asia Pacific, as it brings together regional analytics capabilities – including Data Science and Analytics (DSA), Data Asset Management (DAM) and Data Strategy (DS) – into a more integrated structure under one regional leadership model. Together, these efforts will continue to accelerate TransUnion’s analytics value creation and reinforce its commitment to the responsible and secure use of data.

“As the role of information and data continues to grow in enabling robust and evidence‑based financial decisions in today’s economy – particularly amid persistent global uncertainties, rising fraud risks and increasing regional integration – the capabilities to manage, analyze and translate data into trusted and meaningful insights has never been more important,” said Marie Claire Lim Moore, Asia-Pacific Regional President and Hong Kong CEO at TransUnion. “Data and analytics are central to TransUnion’s continued evolution into a trusted information and insights partner powered by identity-based intelligence. We are pleased to welcome Avishek, whose deep expertise in data-driven transformation and strategic analytics will further strengthen our ability to deliver value beyond credit, supporting businesses and consumers in making more confident, informed decisions and advancing our mission of Information for Good.”

Commenting on his appointment, Avishek said: “It is an honour to join TransUnion at a time when trusted data and insights are increasingly vital in helping financial institutions, businesses and consumers navigate a rapidly evolving environment. TransUnion has built a strong platform that harnesses data responsibly to drive transparency and resilience. The integration of our regional data strategy – encompassing effective sourcing, disciplined standardization, advanced analytics and rigorous quality management – underpins a robust, secure and well-governed data ecosystem. I look forward to building on this foundation to deliver meaningful impact for business, individuals and the broader economy.”

May 28, 2026 0 comments

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Filipinos face widespread digital fraud exposure despite lower financial losses, TransUnion finds

by Contributor May 20, 2026

written by Contributor

Manila – A new TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) analysis found that fraud remains a prevalent reality in the Philippines. The country’s suspected digital fraud rate¹ stood at 4.1% in 2025, exceeding the global level of 3.8% for the sixth consecutive year. Suspected digital fraud attempts refer to activities flagged by TransUnion clients as fraudulent indicators and in violation of corporate policy. It draws on insights from TransUnion’s global intelligence network, spanning billions of transactions across tens of thousands of websites and apps.

This heightened level of fraud was also mirrored in consumer sentiment. Nearly three‑quarters (72%) of surveyed Filipino consumers reported being targeted by digital fraud attempts (online, email, phone and text messages) between August and December last year, compared with 53% globally². This places the Philippines among the markets with the most widespread digital fraud exposure across 18 countries and regions surveyed by TransUnion.

Additional insights from TransUnion’s H1 2026 Top Fraud Trends Report also highlighted the financial impact of digital fraud, with more than one-third (38%) of Filipino consumers reporting losing money from digital fraud last year. Despite widespread exposure, however, the consumer reported financial losses in the Philippines remained comparatively lower. The median reported fraud loss last year was USD850 (approximately PHP50,000 in local currency)³, below the global median of USD1,671 (approximately PHP98,000)³.

“Our data indicates that fraud in the Philippines is driven more by scale than severity,” said Yogesh Daware, chief commercial officer at TransUnion Philippines. “While a significant proportion of Filipino consumers report being targeted through online, email, phone call or text messaging fraud attempts, the typical financial loss per incident is relatively lower compared to other markets. These insights point to a landscape characterized by more frequent, lower-value scams across digital channels and industries, rather than isolated big-ticket cases. The breadth and frequency of these incidents make digital fraud a persistent concern.”

Higher Digital Engagement Drove Greater Fraud Risk Exposure, Concentrated at the Account Login Stage

As one of the world’s most digitally engaged markets with high internet penetration and mobile‑first connectivity, a majority (91%) of Filipinos reported conducting at least part of their account management activities online – such as address changes, account name updates and other modifications. This high level of engagement and reliance on digital channels increases exposure to fraudsters and related vulnerabilities.

Reflecting this heightened risk, the most reported fraud schemes among Filipinos who said they were targeted with digital fraud were phishing (fraudulent emails, websites, social posts, QR codes designed to steal data) at 45%, followed by smishing (fraudulent text messages intended to trick consumers into revealing information) at 38% and third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail websites at 28%.

Given the prevalence of fraud schemes aimed at stealing sensitive data and personal information, suspected digital fraud risk was largely concentrated at the initial identity verification and authentication stages across the digital consumer lifecycle. In the Philippines, fraud risk was highest at the account login stage (6.1%) – which is significantly above the global rate of 4.3% – followed by account creation (4.5%) and financial transactions (1.1%).

“With fraud risk in the Philippines highest at the account login stage, and phishing and other scams primarily focused on stealing credentials, fraud in the Philippines is fundamentally an identity issue. Fraudsters rely on impersonation and synthetic identities to evade detection, while AI-powered tactics make these attacks easier to scale and harder to identify. This raises critical questions for both businesses and consumers: whether organizations can reliably verify the person on the other side of a digital interaction and whether consumers can effectively protect their personal information,” said Daware.

Logistics Was the Industry That Recorded the Highest Suspected Digital Fraud Rate From the Philippines in 2025

Based on TransUnion’s analysis, the logistics sector recorded the highest suspected digital fraud rate in 2025 for attempted transactions where the consumer was in the Philippines, at 8.5% – up from 6.0% a year earlier – highlighting logistics as a growing area of fraud risk in the country. Recent cases of fake delivery and cash-on-delivery (COD) scams, in which victims are induced to pay for items they did not order or that are misrepresented, underscore how fraudsters are increasingly exploiting delivery and last‑mile touchpoints.

After logistics, the insurance sector recorded the second‑highest suspected digital fraud rate in the Philippines last year at 7.6%. This was followed by the communities sector, which encompasses online dating platforms, social media sites and online forums, at 5.8%, reflecting continued fraud activity in digital environments driven by user interaction and identity‑based engagement.

Logistics Saw the Highest Suspected Digital Fraud Rate in 2025 From the Philippines, Followed by Insurance and Communities

Industry	Philippines suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2025
Logistics	8.5%
Insurance	7.6%
Communities	5.8%
Retail	5.2%
Financial services	2.3%
Travel & leisure	0.8%
Telecommunications	0.6%

Source: TransUnion global intelligence network

Recognizing the need for a collective defense against fraud across different industries and all segments of the society, TransUnion Philippines pioneered an anti-fraud task force in the country through the Fraud Industry Council (FIC), launched in November 2024. The FIC brings together leading financial institutions and key industry players to strengthen businesses and consumer protection through coordinated fraud intelligence sharing – a collective approach to an industry-wide challenge.

“The latest data from TransUnion shows that fraud risks are present across sectors, affecting consumers at multiple points in their digital journeys. In addition to strengthening digital onboarding, device validation and network intelligence within individual organization, this underscores the need for collaborations beyond single entities. Through the Fraud Industry Council, we are bringing industry leaders together to share intelligence, enhance safeguards and better protect Filipino consumers through a coordinated, collective approach. Ultimately, this effort is about enabling people to transact with confidence, supporting businesses growth and strengthening trust across the country’s digital economy,” said Daware.

TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud based on intelligence from its array of fraud prevention solutions. To learn more about how TransUnion fraud prevention solutions can help businesses avoid fraud and prevent fraud losses, click here.

Specific country and regional data in the report includes Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2026 Top Fraud Trends Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.

May 20, 2026 0 comments

Business

Credit Attitudes Shift Nationwide as TransUnion’s 2025 Credit Perception Index Reveals Growing Knowledge and Trust Beyond the Capital

by Contributor February 20, 2026

written by Contributor

Driven by strong improvements in product knowledge and trust, the Credit Perception Index score of Filipinos outside the capital stands at 73 in 2025 — matching those based in the capital
Conventional credit tools such as credit cards and traditional banks remain more prominent in the capital, while mobile loan apps, money lenders and microloan providers are gaining interest in other regions
A majority of Filipinos outside the capital report strong demand for financial education (70%) and interest in new digital financial products (65%)

Manila, Philippines – TransUnion (NYSE: TRU), a global information and insights company and the Philippines’ first comprehensive private credit reference agency, today released additional findings from the 2025 Credit Perception Index (CPI). The data reveals a nationwide rebalancing of credit sentiment as Filipinos outside the Greater Capital Region (GCR) show rising financial literacy and openness to credit products, reshaping how consumers engage with credit across the country. For purposes of the study, GCR refers to the economic zone composed of Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

The CPI score — a combined measure to capture Filipinos’ knowledge, trust, and favorability toward credit and other financial products — among those residing outside the capital rose from 71 in 2024[1] to 73 in 2025, matching the 73 score of Filipinos based in the capital. This upward trend was driven by sizable gains in product trust (+11 points) and product knowledge (+6 points), likely reflecting sustained efforts by the public and private sectors over the years to expand credit awareness, education and access across the country.

“Filipinos outside the capital region are making notable strides, driven by sizable gains in both knowledge and trust of credit products,”said Peter Faulhaber, President and CEO of TransUnion Philippines.“This progress shows that more consumers are ready and willing to participate in the credit economy, reflecting a meaningful shift in how Filipinos understand and engage with financial products.”

Borrowing Preferences Differ Across Regions Alongside improved credit perception, intent to use credit is now comparable between consumers within and outside the capital. According to TransUnion’s 2025 CPI, close to two in every five Filipinos (38% in the capital and 39% in other regions) expressed a willingness to use

The 2025 CPI score computation was refined to provide a more holistic and robust view of Filipino consumers and capture shifting perceptions and behaviors. The same formula was applied retroactively to enable year-over-year comparisons.

credit to make purchases in the next three months from the time of the study. However, differences emerge in attitudes towards the various products.

Among respondents from the capital region, 44% expressed interest in using credit cards, compared with 36% from those outside the capital. Similarly, 40% indicated preference for borrowing from traditional banks vs 37% beyond the capital.

In contrast, Filipinos residing outside the capital region show greater openness to non-conventional financial solutions than capital residents, such as mobile loan apps (33% vs 27%), money lending services (29% vs 21%), and micro loan providers (22% vs 17%) — options that often offer a higher level of convenience and speed for consumers in areas usually with fewer traditional banking touchpoints.

These preferences align with reported rising product knowledge of small-ticket credit products among those based outside the capital, where perceived understanding of mobile loans (65% vs 60%), micro loans (54% vs 44%) and payday loans (54% vs 49%) are notably stronger than among those living in the capital.

Growing Openness to Financial Learning

Strong appetite for financial education may explain the improved credit knowledge and thus, trust among Filipinos outside the capital. The 2025 CPI shows that Filipinos outside the capital have a clear demand for financial learning. More than two-thirds (70%) of respondents from these areas expressed willingness to access educational materials to improve their finances, while a majority (65%) also reported strong openness to exploring new digital financial products and services.

In terms of education channels, social media remains the leading source of information on both financial and credit products for consumers within and outside the capital. Sixty percent from each group said they would like to learn about financial products via social platforms and a similar pattern appears for credit products, with 59% and 58% from the capital and beyond, respectively, sharing this preference.

In response to this strong appetite for financial education in the country and the preference for digital channels, TransUnion’s new partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinos (BSP) serves as a timely initiative to deliver digital learning materials anywhere, anytime through multiple touchpoints.

The upcoming BSP E-Learning Academy (BELA) credit education module — soon accessible through the BSP Mobile App — will provide Filipinos nationwide with practical and engaging resources on understanding and managing credit. This initiative makes TransUnion the first credit reference agency in the Philippines to collaborate on the BSP’s digital BELA program to promote credit education, directly advancing financial literacy and financial inclusion among Filipinos while reshaping the country’s credit landscape.

“What we see in the latest TransUnion CPI is clear: interest and readiness for credit are rising well beyond the capital region, creating both an opportunity and a responsibility for the industry to expand access and education,” added Faulhaber. “TransUnion remains committed to driving this progress by partnering with financial institutions to broaden credit access, while delivering credit education initiatives that empower consumers across the country to manage credit responsibly.”

February 20, 2026 0 comments

Business

Cautious optimism prevails as Filipino consumers navigate economic pressures

by Contributor July 3, 2025

written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino consumers are entering the second half of 2025 with a mix of financial optimism and caution, according to the latest Q2 2025 Consumer Pulse Study released by TransUnion (NYSE: TRU).

While many expressed confidence toward their income prospects over the next year, their outlook is tempered by ongoing economic challenges such as inflation and job security. In response, consumers are actively adjusting their spending habits and seeking access to credit as they work towards greater financial resilience.

Over two in five Filipinos (41%) reported an increase in income over the past three months, while 17% saw a decline, slightly better than 19% during the same period last year. Overall, consumers remain optimistic, with 73% saying they expect their income to rise in the next 12 months.

However, financial challenges persist. Nearly half (44%) of consumers indicated they may be unable to fully repay at least one of their current bills or loans. Inflation (83%), job security (59%), and interest rates (40%) continue to be the leading concerns.

Filipinos balance spending cuts with financial planning

Nearly half (47%) of the respondents reported cutting back on discretionary expenses, and 24% scaled down digital services. At the same time, many took proactive steps to improve their financial standing: 45% boosted their emergency savings and 33% accelerated debt repayments, consistent with trends seen in Q2 2024.

“Filipino households are approaching their finances with cautious optimism. While they’re aware of ongoing challenges like inflation and rising costs, many remain hopeful about their financial future. This mindset is reflected in their actions—cutting back on non-essential spending, saving consistently, and staying on top of debt. Our latest Consumer Pulse Study indicates that consumers are not just adapting to current conditions, but are also making thoughtful decisions to secure long-term financial well-being,” said Weihan Sun, principal of research and consulting for Asia Pacific at TransUnion.

Credit access remains a critical financial enabler

Access to credit continues to be seen as vital, with 58% of consumers saying it is essential to achieving their financial goals. Nearly half (44%) believe they have sufficient access to credit, up from 38% a year ago. Millennials remain the most confident (47%), while Baby Boomers showed a significant rise from 28% to 42%.

This growing confidence is also reflected in borrowing intentions. Demand for credit remains strong, especially among Gen Z (58%) and Millennials (52%) who plan to apply for or refinance credit in the next 12 months. Among those who intended to borrow, personal loans were the most sought-after product (45%), followed by buy now, pay later (38%), and new credit cards (31%).

However, structural and emotional barriers remain: 57% of consumers said they had abandoned a credit application or refinancing plan due to fear of rejection based on income or employment status (30%), and the high cost of new credit (29%).

“It is encouraging to see that more Filipinos now consider credit more accessible. However, the fact that over half of potential borrowers still walk away from their credit plans tells us there is still work to be done. Lenders have an opportunity to bridge this gap by offering more inclusive solutions—ones that not only meet practical needs but also build trust and address the emotional barriers that often come with borrowing,” added Sun.

Credit monitoring awareness declines despite strong credit demand

While more Filipinos are using credit, the perceived importance of credit monitoring dipped from 72% last year to 68%—the lowest level recorded over the past five quarters since Q2 2024. This drop may reflect a possible shift toward complacency or a sense of familiarity. Across generations, Millennials were most likely to see credit monitoring as important at 73%, followed by Gen Z (72%) and Baby Boomers (62%), while Gen X reported the lowest level (60%).

“In times of economic uncertainty, maintaining good credit health is more important than ever. A solid credit profile can provide access to critical financial opportunities when unexpected challenges arise. That is why it is vital for the financial industry to invest in better education and accessible tools that empower individuals to understand, manage, and take charge of their credit journeys. Supporting consumers in building their financial resilience today lays the foundation for a more secure tomorrow,” said Sun.

TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Study surveyed 943 adult Filipinos from May 5 to 23, 2025. This quarterly survey examines shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors based on the dynamics of income, debt, and identity theft. Respondents ranged from Gen Z, 18-28 years old; Millennials, 29-44 years old; Gen X, 45-60 years old; and Baby Boomers, age 61 and above. By capturing insights across generations and financial situations, the study helps promote greater financial inclusion by informing policies, products, and education efforts that meet the evolving needs of all consumers.
For more information, please view the full report of the TransUnion Q2 2025 Consumer Pulse Study.

July 3, 2025 0 comments