Experian Dividend News Sparks Debate Over Credit Practices

As the new year unfolds, Experian, the UK’s largest credit rating agency, finds itself at the center of both financial headlines and a growing debate about the role of credit bureaus in the lives of everyday Britons. On January 16, 2026, Experian announced the dollar-to-sterling exchange rate for its first interim dividend, setting the conversion rate at 1 pound equals $1.33804. This seemingly technical detail, reported by TechStock² and Investegate, means shareholders who opt for a sterling payout will receive approximately 15.8814 pence per share, or 21.25 U.S. cents per share. The dividend payment is scheduled for February 6, 2026, and comes just days after Experian’s much-anticipated third-quarter trading update, set for January 21.

But while investors pore over dividend projections and tune in for the upcoming webcast, another side of Experian’s business is drawing scrutiny—one that touches millions of households struggling with debt. According to a BBC Panorama report published on January 19, 2026, the company’s marketing practices have raised concerns among consumer advocates and vulnerable borrowers alike.

Take Amanda, a mother of five who, after years of scraping by on universal credit and battling a £10,000 credit card debt, signed up for Experian’s credit-score service to keep her finances in check. “It was really useful. I’d get the monthly alert of the status of my financial affairs,” Amanda told BBC Panorama. But as she approached the finish line—finally close to paying off her debt—she found herself inundated with emails from Experian, not just with credit score updates, but with enticing offers for high-interest credit cards.

“It would be offers in the lines of, ‘your credit card approval rate has increased,’ inviting you to look at lenders,” Amanda recalled. The offers weren’t just occasional. She described a steady stream of emails promoting so-called ‘credit builder’ cards, which, while helpful for those looking to improve their credit scores, often come with hefty interest rates. For consumers making only minimum payments, these cards can turn into long-term burdens, with debt lingering for years.

Experian, for its part, has acknowledged the concerns and told Panorama it is developing processes to identify potentially vulnerable customers and to stop sending them marketing emails. The company explained that the options sent to Amanda could have allowed her to pay off her debt sooner or at a lower cost. “We give our customers as much information as possible to help them access credit they can afford,” Experian stated, adding that it works closely with debt charities and believes “getting the right support is the most important step and should be the priority over your credit score.”

The numbers behind the UK’s love affair with credit cards are staggering. Industry figures suggest around 35 million people in the country have at least one credit card. The annual percentage interest rate (APR) can range from 0% to over 60%, but for most people with average credit histories, it hovers around 25%. Amidst rising living costs and stagnant wages, many households find themselves relying on credit cards to bridge financial gaps, only to get stuck in cycles of debt.

It’s not just Amanda’s story that’s raising eyebrows. BBC Panorama spoke to others who felt nudged toward more debt, sometimes by the very institutions meant to help them manage it. Tom Richardson, an academic who studies the intersection of debt and mental health, recounted how his bank, Santander, increased his credit limit to £9,000 after he’d already maxed out nearly £7,000 during a manic episode linked to bipolar disorder. “I was trying to do the sensible thing and reduce the debt,” Tom told the BBC. “And the default response was to offer me more credit. It was mind-boggling.” Santander explained that Tom had opted in to automatic credit limit increases when he signed up, and that the bank monitors spending for unusual or unaffordable behavior.

Research from the Centre for Responsible Credit underscores how widespread these experiences are. In a recent survey of nearly 3,500 low- and medium-income adults, more than half reported receiving credit card marketing from credit-score providers like Experian. Half said they’d been offered more credit than they could afford, and a quarter felt pressured into taking on more debt. These findings echo those of the debt charity StepChange, which found that four in ten credit card holders were offered a limit increase in the past year, with little distinction made between those struggling and those not.

Credit agencies such as Experian gather data on customers based on debt levels, credit applications, and payment histories. While a better credit report can mean lower interest rates and easier borrowing, the ultimate decision about whether to offer credit rests with individual lenders. Yet, as Amanda and others have found, the line between helpful financial guidance and aggressive marketing can blur.

Experts warn that the structure of credit card repayments itself can trap consumers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found in a 2018 study that 1.6 million people were making only the minimum monthly payments—typically just 2-5% of their outstanding balances. If that minimum is less than the monthly interest, debt can actually grow, even as the card sits unused. Grace Brownfield from National Debtline described how the industry profits from “anchoring”—displaying a minimum payment on bills that subtly encourages people to pay only that amount. “There’s some evidence that that encourages people to only make the minimum repayment, even if they could afford to pay more than that,” she said. “That’s where the credit card companies are… making their money.”

Michael Crompton, a 66-year-old screenwriter, shared how credit cards became a lifeline during years of freelance work. Eventually, he found himself £21,000 in debt across three cards. “They were offered to me left, right and centre,” he said. When work dried up and his marriage ended, he could only afford minimum payments. “I was paying hundreds of pounds a month and not touching the balance,” he told the BBC. “It just escalates and escalates. You feel like a failure, and you don’t know who to tell.”

The FCA estimates that 2.8 million people in the UK are in persistent credit card debt, meaning they pay more in interest and charges than they borrow over 18 months. Since 2018, new rules have required lenders to check affordability and credit history, and the FCA claims these reforms now save borrowers £1.3 billion a year. Still, critics like James Daley of Fairer Finance argue that lenders should intervene sooner when spending patterns suggest distress, rather than simply extending more credit.

For investors, Experian’s January 21 trading update and February 6 dividend payment are moments to watch, especially as economic uncertainty lingers. The company’s stock closed at 3,296 pence on January 16, with an intraday range between 3,289 and 3,322 pence, according to Experian’s own reporting. But for millions of consumers, the bigger question remains: are credit bureaus and lenders doing enough to protect the vulnerable, or are they fueling a cycle that’s tough to break?

As Amanda, Tom, and Michael continue to navigate their financial recoveries, their stories serve as a reminder that behind every dividend payout or trading update, real lives are being shaped by the practices of the companies that hold the keys to credit.