Experian says trust in AI loan comparison is rising, but consumers still want control

Dated briefing — 16 September 2026. Consumer confidence in AI-assisted loan comparison is rising, but the research points to a clear boundary: people are more willing to use automated help when they retain visibility and control over the outcome.

The study, conducted by Forrester Consulting for Experian, surveyed 6,247 credit-active consumers across 13 markets in EMEA and Asia Pacific, including Singapore. In material directly shared with Southeast Asia Connect, Experian said 82% of respondents trust AI to compare loans across providers. It also said 54% were comfortable with AI agents applying for credit on their behalf, while 75% would be more comfortable using an AI tool connected to a financial institution they already trust.

The research distinguishes between assistance and delegation. It measures what consumers say they would trust an AI tool to help with; it does not show that an AI agent should make lending decisions, that lenders have deployed a particular system in Singapore, or that consumer outcomes have improved.

For lenders and fintech teams, the briefing points to practical controls rather than a blanket automation claim: clear consent, identity verification, transparent comparison criteria and a customer’s ability to review or stop an action. Experian’s release also identifies fraud prevention and explainability as relevant considerations for AI-assisted financial services.

Read Experian’s original Forrester consumer-AI research report: https://experianacademy.com/forrester-consumer-ai-research-report-2026/

SEA Connect is treating this as a dated regional research briefing. The direct release does not state that 83% of Singaporeans trust AI to compare loans, so that Singapore-only claim is not included.

Source: Directly shared with Southeast Asia Connect.