First Advantage Releases 2026 Global Trends Report: Priorities and Outlook from HR Leaders and Job Seekers

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

Key Figures

Survey participants: more than 5,000 Customer count: 80,000+ Planned screening expansion: 89% +3 more

6 metrics

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

Market Reality Check

Price: $11.06 Vol: Volume 1,042,625 is 39% b...

low vol

$11.06 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,042,625 is 39% below 20-day average 1,705,084. low

Technical Trading 26% below 200-day MA of 14.92, near lower half of 52-week range.

Peers on Argus

FA fell 1.43% with all listed peers (CBZ, ABM, TIC, UNF, AZZ) also down between ...

FA fell 1.43% with all listed peers (CBZ, ABM, TIC, UNF, AZZ) also down between -0.44% and -4.57%, but no peers appeared on the momentum scanner, suggesting more stock-specific or mild sector pressure than a flagged rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 02 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 02	Investor conferences	Neutral	+0.6%	Announcement of participation in two March 2026 investor conferences.
Feb 26	Earnings results	Positive	+22.8%	Strong Q4 and full-year 2025 results with guidance and buyback plan.
Feb 05	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-7.2%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 release and call date.
Jan 27	Marketing sponsorship	Neutral	-4.8%	LPGA sponsorship and brand ambassador announcement for 2026 season.
Nov 06	Earnings results	Positive	+6.7%	Q3 2025 earnings with detailed adjusted metrics and narrowed guidance.

Pattern Detected

Shares have reacted strongly to earnings, with mixed or negative reactions to neutral or branding-related news and event announcements.

Recent Company History

Recent news for First Advantage shows a focus on investor outreach, earnings strength, and brand-building. The company reported strong Q4 and full-year 2025 results on Feb 26, 2026, with a sharp positive price reaction, and Q3 2025 earnings on Nov 6, 2025 also saw gains. By contrast, conference participation, sponsorship news, and scheduling updates produced smaller or negative moves. Today’s trends report fits the pattern of non-financial, strategic updates.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement centers on FA’s 2026 Global Trends Report, which underscores rising demand for bac...

Analysis

This announcement centers on FA’s 2026 Global Trends Report, which underscores rising demand for background screening, identity verification, and AI-enabled hiring tools. It complements recent earnings that detailed revenue scale and guidance, positioning the company within structural HR and risk-management themes. Investors may track how insights from more than 5,000 respondents and 80,000+ customers translate into product focus, customer wins, and future financial updates.

Key Terms

background screening, identity verification, AI, automation, +1 more

5 terms

background screening technical

"2026 Global Background Screening Trends Report in partnership with ClearlyRated."

Background screening is the process of checking a person’s past—such as employment and education records, criminal history, credit reports and regulatory or litigation filings—to verify identity and uncover risks. For investors, it matters because undisclosed issues involving executives, board members or major partners can damage reputation, disrupt operations and hurt a company’s stock; think of it as inspecting a used car’s history to avoid hidden problems.

identity verification technical

"expanding screening and identity verification across the employee lifecycle, risk and speed"

Identity verification is the process companies use to confirm that a person is who they claim to be, typically by checking IDs, biometric data, or trusted databases. For investors, it matters because effective verification reduces fraud and legal risk, speeds customer onboarding, and protects a firm's reputation—much like a bouncer checking IDs at a club to keep the place safe and compliant with rules.

AI technical

"the use of AI in the recruiting and hiring process."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

automation technical

"Employers are accelerating automation and integrations to deliver faster, more efficient screening."

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, often replacing manual work with machines or software. It matters to investors because it can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enable faster decision-making, potentially leading to higher profits and competitive advantages for businesses.

gig-friendly models technical

"Global applicants and the shift toward gig-friendly models are adding complexity"

Business approaches that rely on independent contractors, freelancers or short-term workers rather than full-time employees, often enabled by digital platforms. For investors, these models can cut fixed labor costs and let a company scale quickly—like a chain of pop-up shops that opens and closes on demand—but they also bring regulatory, legal and reputational risks around worker status and benefits that can materially affect profits and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. 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 than 60% 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

What did First Advantage (FA) report in the 2026 Global Trends Report released March 13, 2026?

The report found rising identity-fraud and expanded screening plans by employers. According to First Advantage, over 5,000 respondents show 89% of HR hiring managers plan to add screening/identity verification within two years, amid growing global and gig workforce complexity.

How does the 2026 report say risk and speed affect hiring for FA (NASDAQ: FA) customers?

Risk and speed are described as dual mandates, not tradeoffs. According to First Advantage, employers are accelerating automation and integrations to reduce candidate drop-off while maintaining stricter verification and screening standards.

What role does AI play in hiring according to First Advantage's 2026 Global Trends Report for FA?

AI is driving efficiencies but also new fraud risks in recruiting and hiring. According to First Advantage, organizations are deploying AI-driven tools and advanced identity verification to improve throughput and guard against emerging identity-fraud schemes.

How widespread is global candidate complexity in the 2026 report and what does it mean for FA (FA) customers?

Over 60% of employers report growth in multi-country or multi-location work histories. According to First Advantage, this trend increases verification complexity and motivates vendor consolidation and simplified screening processes.

How many customers and respondents underpin First Advantage's 2026 findings for FA (NASDAQ: FA)?

The report is grounded in more than 5,000 CHROs, HR leaders and job seekers and references First Advantage's over 80,000 customers globally. According to First Advantage, this scale informs the report's hiring and screening insights.