Expanding access to credit is a key component of the push for greater financial inclusion. Much of the innovation in the lending space has been focused on developing more accurate ways to find creditworthy borrowers among the unbanked and underbanked. Technology has helped, but so has a shift in lenders’ understanding of creditworthiness, particularly as more workers earn income outside traditional forms of employment as self-employed or seasonal workers, or through the often-irregular work of the gig economy.

This year at FinovateFall 2026, we talked with Jaron Murphy, Head of Partnerships at FICO Scores about why cash flow data is important, and why the distinction between a borrower’s “ability to pay” from their “willingness to pay” can be a key element in establishing creditworthiness. We also discussed the company’s UltraFICO Score partnership with Plaid, launched earlier this year, and how the combination of credit and cash flow data provides a more complete picture of a borrower’s finances.

’ It’s looking at behavior to understand how willing the consumer is, based on past behavior and debt obligations, to repay this debt. There’s another part that’s always been missing though, and it’s that cash flow aspect. It’s the ability to pay, not just the willingness, but what is the consumer’s ability to pay, as well? That’s what really excites me about where we’re at today is being able to leverage cash flow data to understand consumers in new ways.

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