Fox Business has published a feature story highlighting the Southwest Public Policy Institute’s newest report, Swipe Right: How Comparison Shopping Tools and Lead Generators Revolutionize Consumer Access to Products and Services. The article affirms SPPI’s central findings: that digital financial tools like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and LendingTree empower consumers—particularly those underserved by traditional banks—by increasing access to credit through transparent, personalized matchmaking.
Co-authored by SPPI President Patrick M. Brenner, Lucas Parker, and Anna Gonzalez, the report details Brenner’s firsthand struggle navigating traditional credit applications after his divorce. Rejected by seven major card issuers, he ultimately secured a suitable offer within minutes using Credit Karma, a result that underscores the real-world value of these platforms.
In contrast, the CFPB’s own public credit card comparison tool lacks the functionality, personalization, and efficiency of private-sector platforms. SPPI warns that current efforts by the CFPB and FCC to restrict data sharing and impose new compliance hurdles could limit consumer options and stifle innovation.
“Government agencies would be competing with tech firms that have spent decades perfecting user experience and algorithmic matchmaking,” said Brenner. “This is not a fight the government is equipped to win, nor should it try.”
Fox Business echoed these concerns, stating that increased regulation “could be detrimental to those who have difficulty obtaining credit” and emphasizing the need to protect alternative financial access points in a time of rising debt and financial uncertainty.
The article represents a significant validation of SPPI’s work and extends the reach of Swipe Right to a national audience concerned with consumer protection, financial inclusion, and regulatory overreach.