Alternative Data & Fintech Tools
Explore our comprehensive guides and articles about Alternative Data & Fintech Tools.
January 26, 2026
How Lenders Use Alternative Data to Score Thin‑File Borrowers — What to Watch and How to Improve Your Odds
Learn how lenders use rent, bank cashflow, BNPL and open‑banking signals to underwrite thin‑file borrowers, the risks, and steps to improve approval odds.
January 11, 2026
Privacy Checklist for Fintechs Reporting to Credit Bureaus (2026)
Privacy checklist for fintechs reporting to bureaus: what data they collect, how it's used, legal duties, risks, and step-by-step consumer opt-out actions.
January 6, 2026
If Your Bank Starts Charging for Data: A Consumer Guide to Open‑Banking Fees, Alternatives and Rights
If your bank begins charging for data access, learn your rights under CFPB rules, practical alternatives, and steps to protect your credit and privacy.
November 29, 2025
BNPL That Builds Credit: Which Providers Report, How They Report, and How to Benefit Safely
Which BNPL providers report to credit bureaus in 2025, how the data appears, and step‑by‑step tactics to use BNPL safely to build credit.
November 25, 2025
Rent Reporting, Algorithm Bans and the RealPage Lawsuits: What Renters Need to Know in 2025
Understand how RealPage lawsuits, city algorithm bans, and regulator moves in 2025 affect rent reporting and your credit — and what renters should do next.
November 14, 2025
How Rent-Reporting Services Really Work: Boost Your Score Without a Credit Card
Learn how rent-reporting services add rent payments to credit files, which scores they affect, costs, and step-by-step tips to boost credit without a card.
November 14, 2025
Case Study: How Rent Reporting Moved Real People’s FICO Scores (and When It Didn’t)
Real-world study of rent reporting: who gained FICO points, why some renters saw no change, and practical steps to make rent reporting work for you today.
November 14, 2025
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and Alternative Data: Can Responsible Use Help Build Credit?
Can BNPL help build credit? Learn how BNPL reporting, bureau & regulator moves, and new scoring models may affect scores — plus steps to use BNPL responsibly.
November 14, 2025
The Future of Credit Scoring: How Open Banking and APIs are Changing Credit Access
Open banking and APIs are reshaping credit scoring by using bank data for faster underwriting and wider access, while creating new privacy and fairness risks.
November 14, 2025
Experian Boost, UltraFICO and Alternatives: Which ‘Boost’ Tools Actually Move Your Score in 2025?
Compare Experian Boost, UltraFICO, rent-reporting and other fintech tools to learn which actually move credit scores and when in 2025.
November 14, 2025
Top Fintech Credit‑Builder Tools in 2025 — Features, Costs, and Who They Help
Compare leading fintech credit‑builder tools in 2025 — features, costs, reporting timelines, and who benefits most. Make an informed choice for building credit.
November 14, 2025
Privacy & Risk: What Alternative Data Providers Collect When They Report Your Payments
What alternative-data and fintech firms collect when reporting rent, utilities, BNPL and bank payments—privacy risks, consumer rights, and steps to protect data.