FICO’s New Credit Score System: UltraFICO

Since the FICO score was created in 1989, the credit score has focused on consumer borrowing history with data provided by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—the three major credit bureaus. For the first time, UltraFICO—FICO’s new credit score system—will use bank information in addition to traditional credit information.

This extended method will include more data about an individual's financial activities since bank information includes basic and recurrent transactions like rent and utilities and all banking or cash-based transactions that do not involve credit. Furthermore, this change in data sources will help to boost some consumers’ credit scores. UltraFICO was rolled out in 2019

The UltraFICO score is a partnership between Experian, FICO, and Finicity. It was announced during the Money 20/20 USA conference. Experian is one of the three nationwide credit bureaus, and Finicity is a financial technology company that allows consumers to share data with financial service providers. Finicity has an asset verification process that can provide accurate information about your bank account.

Millions of Consumers Kept Out of Mainstream Credit

More than 130 million consumers don’t have access to credit products from major credit card issuers and lenders. According to FICO, 79 million Americans have credit scores below 680 - which is considered subprime—and another 53 million don’t have enough information in their credit files to generate a credit score. You must have at least one account that’s been open for at least six months for FICO to generate a credit score for you.

This puts housing, education, and transportation out of reach for many consumers as they’re unable to get mortgages, student loans, or auto loans. It also means these consumers have to turn to subprime lending products which often have higher interest rates and are predatory for consumers.

Including Bank Information in Credit Scores

While credit card issuers and lenders typically ask for income on the application, the information isn’t verified and it’s not included in your credit score. With the UltraFICO, consumers can allow access to their checking, savings, or money market account information to possibly boost their credit scores. This can be helpful for consumers with credit scores in the 500s and 600s, who are close to a lender’s credit score cutoff and just need a few more points to qualify.

UltraFICO will use several pieces of information about your account to develop your new score. Details include the amount of time your accounts have been open, how frequently you use your account, any history of recent overdrafts, and your account balance. Lenders can see how you’re managing your money in addition to how you’re managing your credit. The additional information could help you get approved where you would otherwise be denied based on your credit history alone.

Ultimately, UltraFICO allows lenders to expand the number of consumers they can loan money to. It allows lenders to tap into the more than 130 million consumers who are effectively shut out of the credit system because they don’t meet the qualifications. 

How to Get an UltraFICO

Not all consumers will have UltraFICO; if your credit score is high enough to have an application approved, you won’t need the extra boost from your banking information. A lender may offer the UltraFICO score to you if your application is turned down based on your traditional credit score. At that point, you’ll have the option to have your bank information accessed to generate an UltraFICO score for you.

Experian will be the first bureau to partner with FICO for the new credit score system. For UltraFICO to benefit you, a lender must be willing to base their credit decision on your Experian credit score alone.

Make sure you understand how your data will be protected before going forward.

How the UltraFICO Is Calculated

Here's what we know about the traditional FICO score: 35% is based on credit history, 30% on your level of debt, 15% on your credit age, 10% on the types of credit you have, and 10% on the number of recent credit inquiries.

Many of the specific details about the UltraFICO score haven’t been announced yet. For example, we don’t know how the percentage of each credit score factor changes with the addition of bank information.

We also don't know if the credit score will be available for consumers to view. If you're turned down or approved for less favorable terms based on your UltraFICO, the lender is required to disclose the score to you along with the factors that contribute to your score.

You still have a responsibility to make sure you only take on debt you can afford to repay. Consider your current income and expenses before taking on any debt obligations.