Fico And Plaid Partner On Updated Ultrafico Score

FICO and Plaid announced on Thursday a partnership to launch an updated version of the UltraFICO Score that incorporates real-time cash flow data into traditional credit scoring.

The new model combines FICO’s scoring framework with consumer-permissioned data from Plaid’s network. The updated score will incorporate cash flow data — such as deposits, withdrawals and account balances — from checking, savings and money market accounts.

Plaid, which connects consumer-permissioned data from more than 12,000 financial institutions, will supply the information. The companies said mortgage lenders will receive a single score that includes a consumer’s credit history and account activity, such as deposits and spending patterns, to better assess loan applicants.

The score will be available through Plaid’s Consumer Reporting Agency, Plaid Check.
FICO said the update is designed to align closely with its traditional score while offering more detail, allowing lenders to begin using it without major system changes. The companies said it’s intended to reduce onboarding time and work with existing channels that use FICO scores.

The initial UltraFICO Score, introduced several years ago, allowed consumers to opt into sharing transaction data to potentially boost their creditworthiness. The new version is designed to integrate cash flow data more broadly into the lender’s decision-making process.

“This partnership represents nearly a year of strategic work to address what the market has been demanding — a broader perspective on consumer credit readiness,” said Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B scores at FICO.

“By bringing together FICO’s trusted credit score intelligence with Plaid’s cash flow data, we’re creating the foundation for more comprehensive lending decisions. This is the beginning of a new chapter in responsible and inclusive lending.”

Adam Yoxtheimer, head of partnerships at Plaid, said lenders are increasingly looking for ways to get a clearer view of consumer finances beyond traditional credit reports.

“By combining Plaid’s real-time connectivity and intelligence with FICO in this next-generation credit score, we are helping lenders make more confident, inclusive credit decisions through a simple and scalable solution.”

FICO said its scores are used by 90% of top U.S. lenders. Plaid said it powers nearly 1 million financial data connections each day.