FICO is pushing credit scoring into new territory. The analytics giant revealed a strategic partnership with Plaid to introduce the next generation of the cash flow–enhanced UltraFICO Score, designed to give lenders deeper, real-time insight into consumer financial health. Instead of relying solely on traditional credit metrics, lenders can now tap live transaction data to make faster, sharper, and more inclusive decisions.

The move builds on FICO’s earlier UltraFICO Score, but this version raises the stakes. Plaid’s infrastructure connects to more than 12,000 financial institutions and processes nearly one million secure financial connections every day. By merging that reach with the reliability of the FICO Score—still used by 90% of top U.S. lenders—the two companies aim to deliver a unified score that strengthens risk assessment without adding operational drag.

Cash Flow Intelligence Becomes a Core Credit Signal

The enhanced UltraFICO Score analyzes inflows and outflows across checking, savings, and money market accounts. This gives lenders real-time visibility into stability, spending behavior, and liquidity—critical factors for understanding credit readiness, especially among consumers who fall outside traditional scoring models.

FICO’s vice president and general manager of B2B Scores, Julie May, highlighted the market’s demand for broader credit perspectives. She said the partnership represents nearly a year of work focused on creating “the foundation for more comprehensive lending decisions.” The collaboration marks a shift toward more responsible and inclusive scoring at a time when lenders are eager to expand access without compromising precision.

Easier Integration, Faster Adoption

The updated UltraFICO Score will be distributed through Plaid’s Consumer Reporting Agency, Plaid Check, which streamlines onboarding for lenders. The companies say the model aligns with the flagship FICO Score, allowing institutions to adopt cash-flow-enhanced scoring without lengthy testing or risk-model overhauls.

Lenders also gain universal compatibility, so they can use the enhanced model alongside the traditional FICO Score in any channel. This flexibility reduces friction and clears the path for faster implementation across underwriting workflows.

A Step Toward Smarter, More Inclusive Lending

Plaid’s head of partnerships, Adam Yoxtheimer, emphasized the rising importance of real-time financial data. He noted that high-quality cash flow visibility is becoming essential for lenders looking to capture a fuller picture of consumer credit readiness. The combined score gives institutions stronger risk signals while offering borrowers more ways to demonstrate financial strength.

With banks under pressure to innovate, modernize underwriting, and reach underserved markets, this partnership positions FICO and Plaid at the center of a major shift. The next-generation UltraFICO Score aims to make lending both smarter and fairer—without complicating the systems lenders rely on.

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