Fair, Isaac & Co., a provider of credit-scoring products, is pushing harder to make its mark on the international scene.
The San Rafael, Calif.-based company launched CrediTable International, which consolidates three existing evaluators of a person's ability to repay a loan and complements its product for the U.S. market, CrediTable.
By combining the three core products - PSI, Launch, and Isis - Fair, Isaac has eliminated the need for its customers to request several contracts.
The three products will no longer be offered separately. According to Jeff Kato, the product marketer for CrediTable, "they were rigidly designed," and the new version will provide more flexibility.
Fair, Isaac has offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa. Mr. Kato said that the international version is "consistent with Fair, Isaac's push as a global company."
Fair, Isaac plans to use its positions in the United Kingdom and Mexico as springboards for the new product.
CrediTable International is designed to assist lenders when they receive applications for any type of loan. Typically, depending on the conditions of the local market, the program will look at whether the applicant rents or owns a home, the length of time at that residence, and whether the applicant has an established credit history.
Points are assigned for each category and higher scores indicate that the applicant is a stronger candidate for credit.
Mr. Kato said the product can be used as a prescreeing tool for cross- selling purposes. CrediTable is also being marketed as a tool for lenders who want to enter a particular market.
"More experienced lenders currently using (sophisticated scoring models) to screen applicants," said Mr. Kato, "may want to launch a portfolio for a new geographic market, where data are insufficient."
Fair Isaac said that CrediTable International can be available within 30 days of an initial request. During that time Fair, Isaac evaluates the local market, the availability and reliability of data, and the lender's needs.
