This overview highlights key themes from our longer market context and policy analysis, including outlining options for action by industry, regulators, and Congress.

FinRegLab research finds that resolving data transfer issues could facilitate use of cash-flow data for credit underwriting, with particular opportunity to expand access for millions of underserved consumers and small businesses.

Resolving data transfer issues could facilitate use of cash-flow data, with particular opportunity to expand access to credit for millions of underserved consumers and small businesses

U.S. regulatory agencies recognize alternative data – and in particular cash flow data – can expand access to credit and produce benefits for consumers

FinRegLab and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco fintech team hosted a symposium titled “The Role of Consumers in the Data Ecosystem” on November 4-5, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. The event involved more than 130 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including not only industry, advocates, researchers, and regulators who focus on U.S. financial services but also perspectives from other sectors and countries.

Data is being used by both new entrants and traditional lenders to extend smaller loans to smaller businesses and increase credit to underserved communities.

FinRegLab research finds that cash-flow information is being used by both new entrants and traditional lenders to extend smaller loans to smaller businesses and to increase credit to underserved borrowers.

This report details the evolution of the use of cash-flow data in small business lending. It explains the reasons why electronic cash-flow data may be particularly useful in the small business context, presents evidence of its increasing use by a diverse range of incumbents and new entrants, and notes market and policy issues that may affect the nature and pace of further expansion.

FinRegLab research finds that cash-flow data can help both to underwrite applicants who lack traditional credit history and improve risk scoring among borrowers who are ranked similarly by traditional scoring systems.

Records from consumers’ deposit and card accounts and from small businesses’ accounting software can provide a relatively detailed and comprehensive picture of how applicants manage their finances on an ongoing basis. FinRegLab conducted an empirical assessment of the data’s benefits and risks, as well as market and policy analyses of the challenges to its wider adoption.