Alternative lending

Financial regulators’ statement cautiously encouraging lenders to go beyond traditional underwriting in their lending decisions is a big step forward for the use of alternative data and artificial intelligence, bankers say.

Casting aside recession fears, the credit bureau predicts credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and unsecured personal loans should all perform well — including those extended by online lenders.

Casting aside recession fears, the credit bureau predicts credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and unsecured personal loans should all perform well — including those extended by online lenders.

Alternative data "may improve the speed and accuracy of credit decisions and may help firms evaluate the creditworthiness of consumers," the agencies said.

The online platform lender Kabbage is making the move beyond just providing working capital loans to small businesses, putting it in direct competition with alternative acquirers and payment companies.

Renaud Laplanche, one of the first fintech disruptors, is launching an unusual type of credit product at Upgrade, his new company, that is a cross between a credit card and an unsecured loan.

Freddie Mac's test of artificial intelligence to make lending decisions could be a significant turning point in broadening the use of the technology.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union is making loans to pay for gender-reassignment surgery, but the initiative has bothered some members.

The Upstart Network, the first and only startup to participate in the bureau’s program for promising digital platforms, claims that using nontraditional credit data items has helped loan volume and affordability.

Though the use of alternative data in lending is seen by some as untested, several fintechs say they couldn't function without it.