Congress orders study on expanding credit access beyond traditional scores
H.R. 5083 — To require the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on use of additional key factors in credit scoring models, and for other purposes. · Filed by Cleo Fields (D-LA) · Introduced Sep 2, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study whether credit scoring models should include additional factors beyond traditional credit history—such as rental payments, utility bills, brokerage accounts, and payroll deposits—to evaluate creditworthiness. The study, due by December 31, 2025, will examine how these alternative factors might change how lenders assess consumers' ability to repay.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward mandate for regulatory agencies to study alternative credit factors. It is not a substantive change to law but rather an information-gathering exercise that could inform future consumer-friendly credit policy.
What the text implies
- If the study recommends adoption of alternative factors, it could pressure lenders to change underwriting models, potentially reducing reliance on traditional credit scores and benefiting 'credit invisible' consumers but also increasing lender operational costs.
- Inclusion of brokerage account statements and property ownership data could inadvertently advantage wealthier consumers who have such assets, potentially widening credit access inequality despite intent to broaden it.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
fintech lenders and alternative credit platforms; consumer credit reporting agencies; insurance companies (if insurance payment history becomes standard)