Experian Malaysia, Credit Bureau Singapore enable credit reporting

By Milan Rojan

Credit Bureau Pte Ltd and Experian Information Services Sdn. Bhd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a two-way cross-border credit reporting service between Singapore and Malaysia.

The agreement has established a framework for collaboration to enable consented cross-border credit report applications for individuals with financial footprints in either market. The initiative has aimed to improve financial inclusion, strengthen credit risk assessment and support deeper economic integration between the two neighbouring markets.

Dawn Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Experian Information Services Malaysia, said, “Trusted data collaboration is key to strengthening digital financial ecosystems. By working together, we aim to enhance financial inclusion, improve risk transparency and support sustainable growth across both markets.”

The partnership has been aligned with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which has placed emphasis on digital industries, data-driven businesses and technology-enabled services. As FinTech, e-commerce, digital banking and platform-based SMEs have expanded across the Causeway, both firms have said trusted credit infrastructure will become increasingly important for secure digital onboarding, responsible lending and access to capital.

Under the MOU, the two companies have intended to collaborate on the structured and secure exchange of individual credit information. The proposed framework has covered the roles of the “Source Bureau” and “Processing Bureau”, mechanisms for obtaining consumer consent, personal data protection safeguards, and commercial and governance models to support implementation.

William Lim, Executive Director of Credit Bureau Singapore, said, “As individuals and businesses operate more seamlessly across Singapore and Malaysia, credit information systems must evolve to reflect cross-border realities. This collaboration represents an important step towards enabling more seamless and responsible access to credit for consumers.”

For consumers, the initiative has been expected to improve access to financial products by enabling lenders to consider verified credit histories from across the border. This may particularly benefit digital-native workers, entrepreneurs and professionals with financial footprints in both jurisdictions.

For financial institutions, access to cross-border credit data has offered a more complete view of applicants’ obligations, supporting digital underwriting, lowering fraud risk and improving operational efficiency.