By Talia Stinson

Read time: 5 minutes

Using the expertise of our employees, our community-focused corporate initiatives, and our consumer products, Synchrony is committed to pursuing innovative financial and credit education for all.

One of our products, CreditView^TM, benefits both our partners and consumers in helping to provide that literacy and support. This comprehensive financial dashboard provides customers with 24/7 access to a snapshot of their personal credit history, interactive credit score tools and a robust credit education library. While this product is currently offered for select Synchrony partners, there are plans for future rollouts to broaden access.

The Importance of Financial Literacy and Credit Education

In today’s complex and fast-paced world, financial literacy and credit education are more important than ever. Bringing this type of support into businesses to enable connection with consumers is a powerful way to build credibility while having a positive impact on our communities. Understanding how to effectively manage money and credit is essential for achieving both personal and professional goals. Unfortunately, many people struggle to access these basic skills, which can lead to increased debt, stress, and hardship.

With access to the right tools and education, consumers can make more informed choices about money and credit, even in complex financial environments—choices that could help to avoid unnecessary debt and build towards a financially secure future. This also includes understanding different types of credit. Using credit and being clear on how debt impacts personal finances go hand-in-hand. Q2 2025 TransUnion data shows that the average credit card debt per borrower is over $6,400; that’s a $526 increase—or, just over an 8% jump—from Q2 2023.  That jump in debt shows that while spending may be up, it’s unclear as to if consumers are understanding how to both manage the debt all while making needed purchases. With the right financial education and support, partners can play an important role in aiding consumers in managing credit usage as they spend, as well as understanding important credit card terms This support can also help build partner credibility, repeat purchase per partner and decrease account defaults.

Why Is Credit Education Important?

Credit education includes understanding how a credit score is calculated, what factors influence it and how a credit report affects borrowing power. It also empowers consumers to use credit wisely, secure better loan rates, qualify for housing, and even land a job, as employers often check credit reports.

The Risks of Poor Financial Literacy

At Synchrony, we believe that demystifying the risks of low financial and credit literacy can have a positive impact on helping consumers understand how to borrow and buy responsibly. Some of those risks include:

• Debt Cycles: Without financial knowledge, it’s easy to fall into debt traps—relying on payday loans, only paying minimums on credit cards, or taking out unaffordable loans.
• Limited Opportunities: Poor credit can limit access to affordable housing, competitive loan rates, and sometimes even jobs.
• Stress and Anxiety: Money is a common source of stress, but it’s magnified when consumers don’t understand financial options or consequences.
• Vulnerability to Scams: Without a baseline understanding, it’s much easier to fall victim to fraud or predatory lending.

So, what is CreditView^TM?

Synchrony’s CreditView^TM Dashboard, offered in partnership with TransUnion, is a sophisticated yet accessible platform that transforms traditional credit monitoring into an interactive learning experience. The CreditView^TM Dashboard dismantles this black box through its innovative credit score tools. The Score Simulator allows users to preview how different financial decisions might impact their credit score before making them. With the CreditCompass tool, users can set credit score goals and get tailored recommendations on how to reach those goals within a set timeframe.

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how people engage with their credit scores,” explains Kiara Hinton, who leads the initiative for Synchrony. “It’s no longer about hands-off monitoring; it’s about active learning and informed decision-making.”

Considering applying for that new credit card? Thinking about paying off a car loan early? The simulator shows the potential impact instantly, transforming abstract financial concepts into concrete outcomes that users can visualize and understand.

Additional partner benefits include:

• Interactive tools such as Score simulator & CreditCompass are not as common in market as credit score-only offering
• ‘Offers’ page can be used to market other products or Retail Partner promotions
• Better informed customers may lead to lower credit risk
• Additional incentive for customers to enroll in and use online servicing

What truly sets CreditView^TM apart is its emphasis on actionable insights. Rather than simply highlighting problems, the platform provides specific, practical steps users can take to build their credit health—turning knowledge into power.

This initiative represents a significant evolution in how financial organizations approach consumer education. By merging technology, data science, and user-centered design, Synchrony has created an environment where learning about credit becomes an engaging and empowering experience rather than an intimidating task.

As financial landscapes grow increasingly complex, tools that bridge the knowledge gap become essential. Hinton believes the future of credit education is active, not passive: “Through tools like CreditView^TM, we’re helping people move from being observers of their credit health to becoming architects of their financial future.”

The Benefits of Being Financially Literate

As a Synchrony partner, you can play a vital role into building financial and credit literacy in your community, all while supporting your business growth.

Here are a few benefits that you’ll encounter by embracing our tools and support:

1. Improved Budgeting and Saving: Financial literacy and credit education can help you encourage consumers to make and stick to budgets, including saving for the future.
2. Wise Use of Credit: By understanding credit, consumers can build a positive credit history, access opportunities and save thousands in interest charges. This can also help your business in growing applications to your store’s card(s), which can in turn be positive business growth over time.
3. Greater Financial Independence: With knowledge comes confidence: empowered consumers can be empowered shoppers; they rely on your brand for needed products and expertise, all while they make conscious decisions that move them closer to their goals.

Let Synchrony Provide the Tools Your Customers Need

Financial literacy and credit education are not just “nice-to-haves”—they are essential skills for navigating the modern world. The more you know about your business and the ever-evolving financial landscape, the better informed you can be in supporting the consumer journey.

Synchrony remains committed to providing the tools and support to help both partners and consumers thrive. Choosing a financial collaborator to help build financial insights and acumen supports the development of a stronger, better financial future for all.