As more consumers apply for credit and increase their spending1, lenders and financial institutions have an opportunity to expand their portfolios and improve profitability. The challenge is ensuring they’re extending credit responsibly and inclusively.
Millions of Americans, many of whom are creditworthy, lack access to mainstream credit options. This may be because they have limited or no credit history, negative information within their credit file, or are a part of a historically disadvantaged group. To say “yes” to consumers they otherwise couldn’t or wouldn’t lend to, lenders must gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s stability, ability and willingness to pay.
That’s where expanded FCRA-regulated and trended data come in. While traditional credit data has long been the primary means of gauging creditworthiness, it doesn’t tell the full story of a consumer’s financial situation. Let’s explore how differentiated data can help lenders make more informed credit decisions.
Using differentiated data for deeper lending
Expanded FCRA-regulated data provides supplemental credit data to help lenders gain a more holistic view of their current and prospective customers. Some examples of expanded FCRA-regulated data include alternative financial services data from nontraditional lenders, consumer-permissioned account data, rental payments and full-file public records.
Because this data drives greater visibility and transparency around inquiry and payment behaviors, lenders can more accurately determine a consumer’s ability to pay and distinguish between reliable and high-risk applicants. In turn, lenders can approve more creditworthy consumers, grow their portfolios and increase financial opportunities for underserved communities, all while preventing and mitigating risk.
89% of lenders agree that expanded FCRA-regulated data allows them to extend credit to more consumers.
Trended data empowers lenders with predictive insights into consumers by providing key balance and payment data for the previous 24 months. This is important as lenders can determine if a consumer’s credit behavior has improved or deteriorated over time. In turn, lenders can:
- Identify creditworthy customers: Establish if a consumer has a demonstrated ability to pay, is consistently paying more than the minimum payment, or shows no signs of payment stress.
- Increase response rates: Match the right products with the right prospects.
- Determine upsell and cross-sell opportunities: Present relevant offers based on anticipated needs and behaviors.
- Limit loss exposure: Understand the direction and velocity of payment performance to effectively manage risk exposure.
Trended data helps lenders better predict future behavior, manage portfolio risk and design the best marketing offers.
Turning insights into action
Together, trended and expanded FCRA-regulated data benefit lenders and consumers alike. With a more holistic view of their customers, lenders gain powerful insights to lend deeper, ultimately helping them to expand their portfolios and drive greater access to credit for underserved communities.
