Accelitas Insights Blog

No time to lose. In 2019, lenders simply have to be smarter.

Written by Steve Krawczyk | 8/21/19 4:05 PM

Inadequate credit scores. Tightening Demand. Changing Demographics. Can businesses grow without raising risks?

 

Despite rising FICO scores, credit card charge-offs are increasing.

In the first quarter of 2019, charge-offs among card-issuers increased to the highest level in seven years, even while FICO scores rose overall. When credit scores rise along with charge-offs, it’s time for lenders to re-evaluate the scores they’re relying on for lending decisions.

 

FICO scores no longer reflect consumers’ ability to pay their debts.

Credit scores may have risen, but that doesn’t mean high-scoring borrowers are on firm financial footing. 40% of U.S. households would have trouble raising $400 to cover an emergency.  Additionally, Goldman Sachs and Moody’s Analytics recently claimed certain FICO credit scores have been artificially inflated over the past decade.

 

Credit card debt is worsening for young Americans 

Specifically, 8.05% of outstanding credit card debt among 18 - 29 borrowers was delinquent by at least 90 days.  If young consumers, whose scores weren’t affected by the Recession, are struggling to make payments now, how will they fare when interest rates rise or the economy falters? 

 

Demand for credit is declining even as credit risk increases.

It gets worse. At the same time that credit risks are increasing, demand for credit is falling. According to the New York Fed, credit inquiries in the last six months have fallen to historical lows. 

 

Finding new growth will require greater risk

As risk grows, lenders who rely on traditional scores will be forced to limit their lending, increase their risk of losses, or miss out on the growing population of younger borrowers.

Unprecedented solutions for uncertain times: AI and

alternative data transform credit risk.  

Just in time to make sense of a rapidly changing credit landscape, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and alternative data are giving lenders vastly more sophistication throughout the credit-decisioning process. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses techniques like machine learning to discover overlooked indications of identity and creditworthiness, enabling lenders to say “yes” to more creditworthy borrowers. 

Alternative data uses broad and uncorrelated sources to help identify the growing number of Americans who lack traditional credit scores. 

Customized predictive analytics

AI and alternative data liberate lenders from one-size-fits-all credit scoring and enables them to fine-tune customized scores that reflect their specific populations and business objectives. 

Explainable Lending Decisions

Explainable AI techniques can be combined with Credit Reporting (CRA) partners to give lenders the confidence they need to explain credit decisions.

 


At Accelitas, we are leveraging the power of AI and alternative data to transform the credit risk market.  AI Lift, our AI-powered Credit Risk Web Service, provides unprecedented predictive analytics to deliver a powerful business advantage. 

 

So where will businesses find new customers?

How can they meet aggressive sales goals in a 

tightening market - without increasing risk?

Start with the 70 million U.S. consumers who are virtually invisible to your current credit screening.

Learn more about these consumers and how best to reach them by downloading our latest guide today.