Credit Builders Alliance and VantageScore Expand Pilot Program to Empower Underserved Borrowers

Credit Builders Alliance and VantageScore Expand Pilot Program to Empower Underserved Borrowers
Credit Builders Alliance and VantageScore Expand Pilot Program to Empower Underserved Borrowers

Hey FinTech Fanatic!

Credit Builders Alliance (CBA) and VantageScore have expanded their innovative pilot program, adding ten nonprofit lenders to test the VantageScore 4plus credit scoring model. This model integrates traditional credit data with consumer-permissioned bank account information, aiming to provide a more accurate assessment of creditworthiness for individuals with limited credit histories.​

The initiative, supported by JPMorgan Chase, offers each participating nonprofit a $10,000 grant, access to CBA's CREDIT AS ASSET™ training, and entry to the 2025 CBA Annual Symposium. These resources are designed to assist lenders in effectively implementing the new scoring model and enhancing financial inclusion efforts.​

Dara Duguay, CEO of CBA, emphasized the program's potential impact: "The VantageScore 4plus model and the bank account data it takes into account deliver a more accurate credit score, facilitating access to credit for people who have previously been declined."

Jeff Richardson, SVP of Marketing at VantageScore, added, "By testing the credit score impact with nonprofit lenders, this initiative will showcase the positive impact that the VantageScore 4plus credit score model can have on lending outcomes for underserved borrowers."​

This expansion underscores a commitment to leveraging alternative data to bridge credit gaps and promote equitable access to financial services.​

Read more global FinTech industry updates below 👇 and I'll be back with more tomorrow! 

Cheers,

Marcel


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FINTECH NEWS

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PAYMENTS NEWS

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🇿🇦 Virtual cards surge in South Africa: safety, convenience drive adoption. According to the Visa and Discovery Bank SpendTrend25 South African Consumer Survey, 45% of respondents now use virtual cards, citing benefits such as reduced fraud risk and seamless digital transactions.

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OPEN BANKING NEWS

🇺🇸 Credit Builders Alliance and VantageScore expand nonprofit lenders pilot program. The platform developed in collaboration with data firm Pentadata provides lenders with a comprehensive view of consumers' financial behavior by combining traditional credit data with real-time, consumer-permissioned cash flow insights from bank accounts.


DIGITAL BANKING NEWS

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🇮🇹 Bancomat lands on Google Pay: Intesa Sanpaolo opens up to digital payments via smartphone. For the first time in Italy, the banking group’s customers can now add their card to Google Wallet and make payments directly with an Android smartphone.

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🇺🇬 MTN’s SASE solution powers PostBank’s digital revolution. For Post Bank, this means optimized connectivity across its branches, improved reliability, and cost-effective scalability—critical factors in Uganda’s competitive banking sector.


BLOCKCHAIN/CRYPTO NEWS

🇨🇭 International grocery chain Spar pilots Bitcoin payments in Switzerland. DFX Swiss, a company that offers crypto-to-cash solutions, announced that the Spar location in the Swedish city of Zug has officially gone live on BTC Map, a platform tracking businesses worldwide that accept Bitcoin.

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 PARTNERSHIPS

🇧🇷 Trace Finance joins Borderless.xyz Network, enhancing FX liquidity and stablecoin payments in Brazil. This integration is set to significantly reduce the cost of stablecoin-based FX transactions while offering institutions and enterprises a faster, more transparent, and secure experience across borders.

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DONEDEAL FUNDING NEWS

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🌍 Opera reports an investment in OPay to boost FinTech innovation in Africa. OPay, a privately held FinTech company, focuses on driving financial inclusion in emerging markets like Nigeria and Egypt through digital wallet services and payment solutions powered by AI and big data.

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M&A

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🇺🇸 Shift4 extends previously announced tender offer to acquire Global Blue. The offer is subject to certain conditions, including satisfaction of a minimum tender condition, for which the 90% threshold has been met, the receipt of regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions, and other customary closing conditions.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

🇯🇵 Square has appointed Stephen Adams as the Head of Japan. Adams previously served as Vice President at Visa Japan and was responsible for merchant sales and acquiring business. In his new role as Head of Japan, Adams will be responsible for accelerating business growth.


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