You’ve seen the headlines: credit reporting costs are climbing, and lenders are footing the bill. But let’s break down what’s actually driving these increases:

20%+ rise in credit bureau data costs

It’s not just FICO. Credit bureaux themselves are adjusting their pricing models, and some mortgage lenders expect a minimum 20% increase in credit reporting costs by 2025.

What’s driving this?

• Regulatory complexity—Affordability and creditworthiness assessments are getting stricter, meaning lenders are running more searches per customer.

• Market consolidation—Fewer players controlling more of the market means less competition on pricing.

• Hidden fees creeping in—API access, bundling strategies, and long-term lock-in contracts are quietly inflating costs.

Some lenders will pay more than others

Here’s the part most organisations don’t realise: not everyone is paying the same rate. Take two lenders using the same CRA services. One is locked into an outdated pricing model, paying significantly over market rate. The other benchmarked their contract, challenged their pricing, and secured better terms.

Are you paying more than you should? Probably.

Credit data pricing has never been transparent. And that’s not by accident.

It’s why we’ve seen two near-identical lenders—same sector, same credit bureau, same search volumes—paying wildly different rates. One was locked into outdated pricing, paying 5x more than their competitor. The other benchmarked their contract and renegotiated.

The procurement blind spot

If you’re relying on credit bureau-provided pricing as your benchmark, you’re negotiating in the dark.

• Bureau contracts don’t show market rates—they show what your organisation has agreed to pay.

• Search fees vary significantly—some lenders are paying double what others are for identical data.

• Bundled services inflate costs—you might be paying for add-ons you don’t even need.

The question is: what can you do about it?

Let’s look at how to push back against these increases… Before they become your new normal.

How smart firms are avoiding the 2025 price hike

The lenders paying the lowest rates in 2025 aren’t the ones with the best bureau relationships. They’re the ones who know how to negotiate.

If your contract is up for renewal, you’re already behind. The firms that wait until renewal time will find themselves locked into higher rates with fewer options. Meanwhile, those taking a proactive approach are already securing better deals—mid-contract.

Here’s how they’re doing it:

#1. Benchmark before the negotiation, not after

Most lenders assume they’re paying market rates. The reality? Many are paying significantly over the odds—often without realising it.

• The most successful firms use benchmarking to challenge inflated pricing before sitting down with their CRA.

• If you don’t know what your competitors are paying, you’re negotiating in the dark.

The smartest firms aren’t guessing what a good deal looks like: they have the data to prove it.

#2. Renegotiate mid-term, not just at renewal

Waiting until your contract expires puts all the power in the bureau’s hands. By then, you’re either accepting the new pricing or scrambling to run an RFP.

• The best time to negotiate can often be mid-contract when bureaux are more flexible.

• Some organisations are securing multi-year pricing freezes while others are locked into rising costs.

You don’t need to wait for renewal to push back. In fact, you shouldn’t.

#3. Break down the hidden costs

It’s not just about headline search fees—bureau contracts are loaded with hidden costs that add up fast.

• API access fees—some lenders are paying more for API calls than actual credit searches.

• Bundled pricing traps—you could be paying for add-ons you don’t even use.

• Fixed minimum spends—locking you into volumes that don’t align with your actual needs.

One lender we worked with was spending six figures a year on unnecessary integrations, without realising it. A detailed contract review uncovered the issue, and they negotiated those fees out of their next agreement.

#4. Diversify your data sources

Some lenders are finding ways to reduce their dependency on traditional bureau data altogether, without increasing risk.

• Open Banking data is giving some firms a way to validate affordability without running expensive bureau searches.

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• BNPL providers are blending credit bureau data with alternative data sources to cut costs while maintaining risk integrity.

You don’t need to replace bureau data to lower costs—you just need to use it smarter.

If you haven’t checked how your credit data pricing compares to the market, now’s the time.