First Advantage Releases 2026 Global Trends Report: Priorities and Outlook from HR Leaders and Job Seekers
First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA) released its 2026 Global Background Screening Trends Report on March 13, 2026, reflecting insights from more than 5,000 CHROs, HR leaders and job seekers across nine industries and five regions.
Rhea-AI Summary
First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA) released its 2026 Global Background Screening Trends Report on March 13, 2026, reflecting insights from more than 5,000 CHROs, HR leaders and job seekers across nine industries and five regions. Findings show rising identity-fraud and an 89% intent to expand screening within two years.
The report highlights dual mandates of risk and speed, growing multi-country work histories for >60% of employers, and increased AI adoption that drives efficiency and new fraud risks. First Advantage cites its 80,000+ customers and emphasizes simplified, automated screening across the employee lifecycle.
Positive
- 5,000 respondents provide broad industry and regional coverage
- 89% of HR hiring managers plan to expand screening within two years
- Over 60% of employers reporting growth in multi-country candidate work histories
- Emphasis on automation and vendor consolidation to speed hiring and reduce drop-off
Negative
- Rising identity-fraud increases verification costs and operational complexity
- AI adoption introduces new fraud vectors despite efficiency gains
Details
News Market Reaction – FA
In the Mar 13 session, FA declined 1.72%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
- Survey participants
- more than 5,000
- CHROs, HR leaders, and job seekers in 2026 Global Trends Report
- Customer count
- 80,000+
- Global customers served by First Advantage
- Planned screening expansion
- 89%
- HR hiring managers planning to add screening/ID verification in two years
- Global employers seeing multi-country histories
- More than 60%
- Report growth in candidates with multi-country or multi-location work histories
- Industries covered
- 9 industries
- Scope of 2026 Global Background Screening Trends Report
- Regions covered
- 5 global regions
- Geographic coverage of survey respondents
Historical Context
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Announcement of participation in two March 2026 investor conferences.
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Strong Q4 and full-year 2025 results with guidance and buyback plan.
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Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 release and call date.
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LPGA sponsorship and brand ambassador announcement for 2026 season.
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Q3 2025 earnings with detailed adjusted metrics and narrowed guidance.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
background screening technical
identity verification technical
AI technical
automation technical
gig-friendly models technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Findings highlight the need for expanding screening and identity verification across the employee lifecycle, risk and speed priorities, and the requirement for simplified processes
ATLANTA, March 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FA), a global software and data company, today released its 2026 Global Background Screening Trends Report in partnership with ClearlyRated. Drawing on insights from more than 5,000 CHROs, HR leaders, and job seekers, across nine industries and five global regions, this study captures the latest hiring and onboarding realities and priorities.
As one of the largest background screening and identity verification providers, First Advantage knows the importance of identifying and understanding trends within the fast-changing workplace environment for the benefit of its 80,000+ customers globally. Research results include the most up to date industry data on employee lifecycle screening, hiring speed, accuracy and efficiency, and the use of AI in the recruiting and hiring process.
Key findings from the 2026 Global Trends Report include:
- Rising Identity-Fraud Driving Employee Lifecycle Screening and Identity Verification.
Escalating identity-fraud, including job-related scams and widespread misrepresentation, is pushing employers to expand screening across the entire employee lifecycle.89% of HR hiring managers plan to add additional background screening and identity verification solutions within the next two years to keep pace with rising risk.
- Risk and Speed are now dual mandates, not tradeoffs.
Risk is a top screening priority, but slow hiring processes continue to cause candidate drop-off. Employers are accelerating automation and integrations to deliver faster, more efficient screening.
- Global & Flexible workforces are reshaping screening strategies, including the need for operational simplicity.
More than60% of global employers report growth in candidates with multi-country or multi-location work histories. Global applicants and the shift toward gig-friendly models are adding complexity to verification requirements. Employers are simplifying through vendor consolidation and streamlined screening processes.
- AI is Transforming Hiring and Creating New Risks.
AI is now widely used by employers and candidates, introducing both efficiencies and new avenues for fraud. Organizations are adopting advanced identity verification and AI-driven tools to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Joelle Smith, President, commented, “The hiring landscape is undergoing significant change, driving employers to prioritize risk mitigation as AI becomes a major catalyst for both innovation and emerging vulnerabilities. Our 2026 Global Trends Report makes it clear that organizations need smarter, simpler, and more secure screening and identity verification processes across the entire employee lifecycle. At First Advantage, we’re committed to delivering the technology, automation, and insights employers need to stay ahead of risk and build trust at every step.”
Explore the full 2026 Global Trends Report here.
About First Advantage
First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA) is a global software and data company. We provide comprehensive, end-to-end identity solutions, criminal background screening, credential verifications, drug and health screening, and continuous risk monitoring. Combining AI-powered proprietary technology platforms with proprietary data, primary source data, and third-party data, we help organizations hire with confidence and manage risk across the entire employee lifecycle. With over 80,000 customers worldwide – including approximately two-thirds of the Fortune 100 – we deliver fast, comprehensive, and reliable solutions for employers, their candidates, and their employees. We conduct more than 200 million screens annually across over 200 countries and territories, supported by our verticalized go-to-market strategy, decades of experience, and proprietary databases containing over 1 billion records. For more information, please visit our website at https://fadv.com/.
Media Contact
Katelyn Brower
Director, PR, Social, Events
Katelyn.Brower@fadv.com
FAQ
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