Led by BIIA, with insights from the International Committee on Credit Reporting (ICCR), this roundtable will showcase the critical role of data in supporting access to finance, with a particular emphasis on the role of credit reporting systems as foundational infrastructure for well-functioning financial markets.

The discussion will draw on the ICCR’s recent publication, The Use of Alternative Data in Credit Risk Assessment: Opportunities, Risks and Challenges (2025), which examines how alternative data sources are increasingly being integrated into credit risk models. The report highlights the opportunities these data sources create for expanding financial inclusion, the risks that must be managed, and the policy actions needed to unlock their potential.

The session will follow the flow of the report, with panellists:
• Exploring examples of alternative data being applied in practice, and the ways in which credit bureaus and business information providers are enabling their use.
• Showcasing integration models that combine traditional and alternative data to strengthen credit assessment and improve SME and consumer access to finance.
• Highlighting collaboration between incumbent credit reporting systems, innovative fintech players, and regulators in building effective data ecosystems.
• Discussing policy developments and recommendations for regulators to balance innovation with consumer protection, transparency, and systemic trust.

By weaving together insights from credit bureaus, fintech innovators, and policymakers, the roundtable will demonstrate how data innovation can be harnessed responsibly to close persistent gaps in access to finance, particularly for SMEs and underserved communities.