The power of context: Why data without insight is only half the story

Every day, firms are bombarded with figures on credit card balances, loan originations, and retail spending. But data, no matter how comprehensive, is useless without the right context.

As Head of Market Intelligence, I’ve learned that the real value lies not just in what the data says, but in why it’s happening. For instance, recent figures show credit card debt exceeding £80 billion. If you only look at that number, it’s easy to jump to conclusions about systemic financial distress. But when we look at the data alongside current consumer behavioural shifts, such as how and when people choose to utilise flexible credit, the story changes.

At Equifax, our goal is to provide a comprehensive lens through which you can view the market. We focus on connecting the dots to reveal the trends that actually shape your strategy.

Whether it’s identifying early indicators of repayment stress, or understanding how broader economic pressures are shifting consumer borrowing habits , we rely on the depth and breadth of our data to separate noise from reality.

Join me for the Market Pulse webinar on 8th July, when we are launching our latest Summer 2026 Spending & Lending Report. A look at the latest consumer credit trends.

I’ll be joined by my colleague Andrea Cox, Head of Affordability and Andrew Goodwin, Chief UK Economist, Oxford Economics for an informal discussion to walk you through the data, discuss what these numbers actually mean for your lending and growth strategy and provide economic forecasts into 2027.

Register now >