Experian has taken significant steps to help SMEs benefit from the access to finance measures announced by the Government. Under government plans, enhanced credit information held by nine designated banks will be shared equally with finance providers that agree to share their own credit data. This will make it easier for challenger banks and alternative finance providers to assess the creditworthiness of potential business customers. Experian has formally received designated Credit Reference Agency (CRA) status, allowing it to work with all the designated banks and add SMEs’ current account data to its large credit database.