The Challenge

Nearly 53 million US consumers have little to no credit bureau data or no credit bureau data at all and 25 million of these are considered “credit invisible” with no credit bureau record. Moreover, 80 million consumers have limited or blemished history in their credit reports. 

Mission-driven institutions that serve these populations often experience challenges in resources including access, capacity, and technical support to adopt new technologies.

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Why FICO?

At FICO, we believe the path to empowering people and economies is through a focus on financial literacy and investment in innovation that responsibly broadens access to credit.

With a track record of proven performance and with a history of financial inclusion empowerment, FICO brings a wealth of analytical expertise and background in helping institutions responsibly expand credit access and opportunities to more people.

How it works

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs) participating in the Lenders Leading Inclusion Program will be able to access FICO’s technology, expertise, and information to expand their financial inclusion initiatives. Benefits include:

Access to FICO’s leading scores for financial inclusion, FICO® Score XD and UltraFICO® Score – which together address over 50% of U.S. adults. FICO Score XD uses alternative data including phone and utility provider payment history, public records, and asset insights. UltraFICO Score helps consumers improve access to credit by leveraging trended cash flow data to give lenders a broader view of credit readiness.

Program adoption tools for understanding FICO® Scores based on alternative data.

Lending credit and inclusion strategy education and design consulting by industry experts who have helped lenders achieve greater inclusion through analytics.

Consumer-focused FICO® Score training for your team including how FICO® Scores are built and best practices for establishing and maintaining a healthy score.

Related resources

Find out more related resources to FICO’s inclusion and consumer wellness efforts.

Leading Inclusive Innovation & Consumer Wellness Empowerment

Since 2015, over 50% of FICO’s R&D investment in its Scores segment has focused on broadening financial inclusion globally.

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How to Use Alternative Data in Credit Risk Analytics

Here is useful information on how to assess alternative data and combine it with so-called traditional data to improve credit risk analytics.

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FICO Launches Lenders Leading Financial Inclusion Program

FICO partners with minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions.

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FICO® Score XD

Improve consumer credit access by identifying credit-ready borrowers who are unscorable with traditional credit bureau data alone.

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UltraFICO® Score

Your data. Your UltraFICO® Score.
You’re in control.

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Today's “No Hit” Applicant May Be Tomorrow’s Profitable Long-Term Customer

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Interested in being a participant?

Learn more on how to get started.