Name: UltraFICO® Score
Brand: FICO

Game-changing partnership

FICO partners with Plaid to launch the next-generation cash flow UltraFICO® Score. This delivers a breakthrough scoring solution that maps cash flow data into the proven FICO® Score scoring framework.

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The Cost of Inaction in Credit Underwriting

The borrower landscape is shifting, with more consumers entering the credit market who have thin or non-traditional credit histories. Scoring methods that include traditional credit data alone often fall short of capturing true creditworthiness of these individuals, causing lenders to miss out on qualified applicants and growth opportunities. Credit scores determine the baseline for eligibility and risk — but cash flow data refines that picture, helping lenders differentiate borrowers who share similar scores but carry very different risk profiles. Every declined customer becomes a competitor’s gain. Integrating cash flow data through the UltraFICO® Score provides lenders with a fuller financial picture, empowering them to approve more borrowers across segments without compromising risk standards. Those who adapt quickly will strengthen their portfolios, while those who don’t risk falling behind more forward-thinking competitors.

Say yes to more credit applications with a score layering strategy

Enable an additional opportunity for credit-ready applicants by inviting borrowers to unlock their UltraFICO® Score. Lenders can offer a new pathway to demonstrate credit readiness with an augmented credit score layering strategy that leverages UltraFICO® Score and the FICO®Score to broaden accessibility and extend financial inclusion to borrowers with limited credit history.

Tap value-added cash flow attributes bundled with UltraFICO® Score

Access the power of trended cash flow attributes developed by FICO and delivered with the UltraFICO® Score. These attributes offer additional deep insights into the individual borrower’s cash flows (inflows and outflows), transaction volumes as well as any indications of recent insufficient funds – and may be leveraged by lenders for more customized decisioning.

UltraFICO® Score and FICO® Score XD support greater financial inclusion

Complement FICO® Score to serve traditionally unscorable consumers and those with limited or blemished history. More than 75% of new-to-credit applicants with favorable experience managing a checking or savings account see a credit score increase.

FICO® Score XD 2

More than 70% of previously unscorable credit applicants now scored, a third of whom have scores above 620.

UltraFICO® Score

More than 75% of new-to-credit applicants with favorable history managing a checking or savings account see a score increase. 40% see an increase of over 20 points.

Capabilities

FICO solutions offer a wide range of capabilities, empowering you to make smarter, personalized decisions, streamline operations, and improve the customer experience.

Smart

Differentiate and compete more effectively by matching the best credit offer to the consumer in a crowded marketplace.

Compliant

Compliant reason codes reflect the demand deposit account data used for the credit score calculation, when applicable.

Trusted

Trust the same level of rigor, integrity, and insights as other industry standard FICO® Scores.

Innovative

Gain the benefit of unprecedented risk insight driven by integrating cash flow dynamics into consumer credit score bundled with cash flow attributes offering additional value.

Consumer Friendly

Borrowers link their banking activity via web or mobile experiences, expediting the likelihood of credit access while offering ease and transparency at every step.

Robust

The UltraFICO® Score model can consider millions of records across multiple lending institutions. This data can then be used to empirically quantify the relationship between how a consumer manages their demand deposit accounts and credit risk.

The UltraFICO® Score algorithm adjusts the existing FICO® Score given the additional insight offered by consumer-permissioned DDA data that is supported by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Lenders can use this resource to help broaden credit access for young or immigrant applicants building a credit profile as well as those reestablishing their financial standing following distress. Lenders can use the UltraFICO® Score to make better decisions for those consumers who are near score cut-offs or wish to qualify for better terms.

Trended Cash Flow Data

For the first time, consumers can permission their checking and savings account histories for greater precision in a national scoring system. UltraFICO® Score considers this trended cash flow data and other predictive DDA characteristics.

Differentiation

Gain unprecedented risk insight driven by integrating cash flow dynamics into a consumer credit score for faster, more competitive, and profitable lending decisions.

Customer Opportunity

Say yes to more credit applications. Provide greater engagement and transparency, while broadening credit access with a financially inclusive credit decision process, thereby building lasting borrower loyalty.

The Trusted Standard

The UltraFICO® Score uses the same scale as the traditional FICO® Score, is aligned with consistent repayment odds, and is engineered for easy adoption and interpretation.

How the UltraFICO® Score works

01 .

Once the consumer accepts

A credit score inquiry is made to the credit reporting agency.

02 .

In a digital origination environment

Consumers are directed to a secure site where they select and connect the existing DDA accounts they choose to share for consideration.

03 .

Once consumers select their accounts and permissions access

Their DDA transaction history is summarized and sent to the credit bureau that hosts the scoring algorithm developed by FICO. UltraFICO® Score leverages the DDA data in addition to traditional credit data housed at the credit bureau.

04 .

The UltraFICO® Score algorithm

Creates an enhanced FICO® Score incorporating the additional insight offered by the DDA data (unscorable consumers will generate a new UltraFICO® Score if minimum scoring criteria are met).

05 .

This score is then transmitted

By the credit bureau to the lender along with reason codes reflecting the data used for credit score calculation, just like other FICO® Scores. Additionally, DDA-related predictive characteristics are provided.

Featured news

Learn what’s happening in the world of advanced analytics and data-driven decision management with the latest news, updates, and ideas from the FICO Newsroom.