Behind the Credit Curtain: Understanding Consumer Reporting with NCRA’s Eric Ellman

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Episode Title: Behind the Credit Curtain: Understanding Consumer Reporting with NCRA’s Eric Ellman
Guest: Eric Ellman, President of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA)
Host: Jim McCarthy

🎙️ Episode Summary:

In this episode of Financial Forward, host Jim McCarthy sits down with Eric Ellman, the newly appointed president of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA), to explore the often-overlooked yet critically important world of consumer reporting agencies.

With more than 25 years of experience at the forefront of data policy and financial services—most recently with the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA)—Eric brings a unique lens to the complex network of companies that help banks, lenders, and employers make informed decisions. Now at the helm of NCRA, Eric is working to amplify the role of smaller, specialized consumer reporting agencies, particularly in the mortgage and tenant screening sectors.

Whether you're a banker, a compliance executive, or a consumer navigating your financial journey, this episode demystifies how consumer data flows, what powers credit decisions, and how industry players are responding to growing regulatory scrutiny.

📌 Topics Covered:

• What is the NCRA and who are its members?
• The difference between the “Big Three” credit bureaus and resellers/specialty agencies
• How consumer reports are created and used in the mortgage and employment industries
• The role of trade associations in shaping data policy and consumer protection
• The impact of CFPB regulations and evolving expectations around data accuracy and consumer rights
• What bankers and consumer finance leaders need to understand about the data supply chain
• What consumers should know about how their credit and tenant reports are built and used

👤 About Our Guest:

Eric Ellman is the President of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA). He previously served as Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), where he led government affairs and served twice as Acting CEO. He is a veteran of the consumer reporting space and one of the country’s leading voices on data use, accuracy, and policy.

🧠 Who Should Listen:

• Bankers and mortgage professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the consumer data pipeline
• Compliance and risk executives monitoring third-party data use
• Fintech leaders building tools that rely on credit or background checks
• Consumers interested in understanding how their financial data is collected and used

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA)

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