Next-Generation UltraFICO® Score Now Available

FICO , global analytics software leader, announced the general availability of the next-generation UltraFICO® Score, a credit score that combines the proven reliability of the FICO Score, used by 90% of top U.S. lenders, with real-time, consumer-permissioned cash flow data. Developed by FICO and powered by Plaid’s data network, the UltraFICO® Score provides lenders with an enhanced measure of consumer credit risk, on the same industry standard score scale lenders trust, with minimal operational lift.

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The UltraFICO® Score builds on traditional credit data by incorporating cash flow insights drawn from consumer-permissioned bank account data across Plaid’s network of more than 12,000 financial institutions, including cash inflows and outflows, account balance stability, and spending behavior. The result is a single, enhanced score that delivers superior risk assessment without requiring lenders to overhaul their existing decisioning systems.

“Lenders want more insight without complexity,” said Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B Scores at FICO. “The UltraFICO Score advances credit scoring by delivering cash flow insights in a format lenders already understand, on the same score scale they already use, and within the workflows they already rely on. Our new score will enable more precise decisions with minimal operational rework, while recognizing consumers for financial behaviors not captured by traditional credit file data alone.”

Because the UltraFICO® Score is aligned to the industry standard FICO Score scale, lenders can use this new score within existing credit policies and risk management frameworks from day one.

“Consumer financial lives have increased in complexity, requiring innovation in credit scoring so lenders have deeper context about borrowers and their ability to repay,” said Adam Yoxtheimer, head of partnerships at Plaid. “FICO and Plaid are pairing trusted traditional credit scoring with high-quality cash flow data, enabling lenders to get up and running quickly, increase approvals responsibly, and maintain regulatory confidence.”

By incorporating consumer permissioned indicators such as balance stability, deposit consistency, and spending behavior, the UltraFICO® Score helps lenders responsibly expand access to credit while maintaining sound risk discipline. Analyses of the UltraFICO® Score compared with traditional credit data alone show:

• A 7% relative increase in approvals with no incremental risk, and a 15% relative performance lift for prime applicants with limited credit histories
• 79% of non‑prime applicants with a history of positive account balances see higher scores

“The new UltraFICO® Score is a major breakthrough for credit decisioning analytics,” said Craig Focardi, principal analyst at Celent. “By combining traditional credit bureau data with cash flow signals into a single score that fits existing FICO workflows, lenders can expand predictive lift without creating operational complexity. Enabled by open banking, this approach also broadens credit access for thin-file and non-prime consumers, creating a competitive advantage for lenders that move early.”

The UltraFICO® Score is available now. Lenders can access it regardless of how they currently receive FICO Scores, as it is distributed through Plaid Check, Plaid’s consumer reporting agency. Built on secure, consent-based data sharing and designed to meet compliance requirements, the UltraFICO® Score reflects FICO’s continued leadership in advancing the most predictive, reliable credit scores, and the company’s longstanding commitment to expanding financial inclusion.

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