Market Pulse

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.

Market Pulse is a business podcast hosted by Equifax, with 82 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Equifax hosts Market Pulse, a business show with 82 episodes published.

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  Episode #83

  Affordability: What Consumers are Really Experiencing

  Oct 1, 202641 min

  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.”

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  Episode #82

  Debt, Delinquencies & the Divided Consumer

  Sep 3, 202637 min

  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.

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  Episode #81

  Moody’s Economic Update: The Economy Beneath the Headlines

  Aug 20, 202630 min

  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.

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  Episode #80

  How the K-Shaped Economy is Reshaping Financial Services

  Jul 23, 202648 min

  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.

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  Episode #79

  Combating Small Business Fraud in an AI-Powered World

  Jul 16, 202631 min

  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.

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