HUNDREDS of Islanders have opted out of a data-sharing initiative intended to make it easier for them to access credit cards and other financial products. The move was implemented in a bid improve Islanders’ access to financial products, such as credit cards, by making it easier for banks and other providers to carry out the necessary checks when processing applications from Jersey. The change followed years of difficulties verifying applicants that had seen a number of UK lenders withdraw services from the Island. Announcing the initiative last month, the government noted that “the sharing of this information is not compulsory” and that it was possible to opt out. As of last week, more than 780 Islanders had done so.