What if your rent, your Netflix subscription, or your Buy Now, Pay Later habits could affect your credit score? According to Imani Moise, a financial journalist at the Wall Street Journal, that future is closer than you might think.

Imani Moise, Wall Street Journal Finance Reporter

In this most recent NGPF Podcast episode, Tim speaks with Imani Moise, longtime personal finance reporter and current Wall Street Journal contributor, about the evolving world of credit scores, financial inclusion, and the complex landscape behind credit reporting.

Imani breaks down how traditional scoring methods are in the process of shifting, with utility payments, subscription services, and even BNPL loans soon playing a much larger role in determining your creditworthiness than before.

She also explores how credit scores are used in contexts beyond lending, from job applications to insurance premiums.

Imani claims that, “[Good credit score] is not necessarily a means to an end, it's a byproduct of good financial behavior.”

Imani doesn’t just deliver insights into how the system works; she challenges us to think critically about who benefits from this system the most and why.

With her background in corporate reporting, she brings a unique perspective on how institutions profit from consumers, as well as how individuals can navigate these systems more intentionally.

Whether you're a teacher trying to demystify credit scores for your students or a curious listener looking to understand the systems shaping your financial life, this episode offers a thoughtful, real-world take on what credit means in today’s ever-changing economy.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform.

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About the Author

Anton Ivanushkin

Anton is a student at UC San Diego. He is majoring in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation. Anton has been interning at NGPF since May 2023. He helps with video editing, podcast editing, and many other tasks.