Alternative Data & Algorithms

Alternative data that is not usually in credit reports, such as rent, utility, cell phone, or bank account transactions, is promoted to underwrite consumers with little or no credit history, but can hurt vulnerable consumers. Huge amounts of other data about consumers is being harvested, bought and sold, and used against us. NCLC advocates for choice, fairness, privacy, and consumer access in how our data is used to ensure that this data helps, not harms consumers.

No Silver Bullet: Using Alternative Data for Financial Inclusion and Racial Justice

June 1, 2022

Credit scores reflect dramatic and troubling disparities by race, due to a multitude of factors explored in this brief, including the racial wealth gap, decades of redlining and housing segregation, historical and present-day employment discrimination, and racially biased criminal justice practices.

Read More about: No Silver Bullet: Using Alternative Data for Financial Inclusion and Racial Justice

From the NCLC Digital Library

Fair Credit Reporting

The premier treatise on credit bureaus, tenant screening, background checks, and other reports, plus the latest U.S. Supreme Court rulings, CFPB interpretations, federal and state legislative changes, government enforcement actions, caselaw developments, and changes to industry practices.

Read Chapter One

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