Why some fintechs offer credit without checking your score
Some Fintechs offer credit without checking your score to expand access to financial services to people who, despite not having a high credit bureau score, demonstrate good financial behavior.
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But what exactly enables this flexibility? The answer lies in alternative data, predictive technologies, and a market perspective that values context over passive history.
For a long time, credit granting in Brazil was based on rigid analyses. A low score meant a closed door.
This metric, however, ignores the details behind each financial history, such as the reason for a delay or the time period in which it occurred.
In a country where more than 70 million people have limited access to credit due to their credit score, as shown by a survey by the Locomotiva Institute, it is essential to seek smarter ways.
In this article, you will understand how some Fintechs offer credit without checking your score, why this strategy is advantageous for consumers and companies, and which technologies and metrics make this possible, with real data and a humanized approach.
Technology and behavior: the new risk analysis filter
Instead of relying exclusively on traditional credit bureaus, fintechs have begun using technological tools that allow for a more accurate reading of consumer profiles.
This includes access to bank transaction data, income consistency, recurring receipts and payments, and even consumer behavior in digital services.
With the Open Finance regulation in Brazil, financial startups can, with customer authorization, analyze data from different bank accounts to understand the individual's true financial health.
This approach expands the ability to identify good payers who are penalized by traditional methods.
For example, an app driver who receives Pix payments almost daily can have a stable income, even if informal.
Although your score may be low, the fintech monitors cash flow, transaction volume, and regularity of banking transactions.
This data set more accurately reflects your ability to pay.
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What motivates this strategy?
It's not just a social or inclusive initiative. Fintechs offer credit without checking your score because this is also advantageous from an economic point of view.
With more complete data, the risk of default decreases.
According to the Brazilian Fintech Association (ABFintechs), startups that adopt alternative criteria have recorded up to 40% less defaults compared to the traditional market.
In other words, in addition to expanding their target audience, these companies optimize the security of their credit portfolio.
A competitive factor also comes into play. In a market where large banks dominate credit, fintechs need to stand out.
They do this by offering more intuitive digital experiences, faster decisions, and analytics that value context, not just an impersonal history.
Deepen your knowledge by reading: The silent impact of denied credit on your financial life
How assessment works in practice
When registering with a fintech that does not require a score, the user authorizes access to their banking data, as provided for by the LGPD (General Data Protection Law).
The platform cross-references this information with pre-defined parameters, such as inflow and outflow volume, default history, and use of financial services.
For example, a person who receives money via digital wallet every month, even without a paycheck, may be considered eligible if they maintain a balanced relationship between expenses and income.
This model allows you to look to the future (payment potential), and not just the past (previous default).
See the table below for some of the common criteria used:
| Observed Criteria | Why is it relevant |
|---|---|
| Cash flow | Indicates financial stability |
| Frequency of receipts | Demonstrates regular income |
| Type of expenses | Identifies consumption patterns |
| Recurring payments | Shows commitment to fixed bills |
| Previous credit usage | Evaluates lending behavior |
| Geolocation and digital profiles | Complement profile with contextual analysis |
New protagonists: the impact on real life
The flexibility has changed trajectories. A common case is that of Eliane, a housekeeper and mother of three, who used apps to manage her daily expenses and received regular payments via bank transfers.
His credit score was considered low due to an old debt that had already been paid off. When he applied for credit with a fintech, he was approved based on his current financial behavior.
The borrowed amount allowed her to purchase equipment and set up a small home laundry.
These stories reflect a changing market. Customers don't just want service, they want understanding.
And the Fintechs offer credit without checking your score precisely because they understood that behavior says more than a cold score.
+ New credit scores that go beyond the traditional score
Regulation protects the consumer
Many people fear that this new model is unsafe. However, all transactions must follow LGPD regulations and Central Bank guidelines.
The consumer has the right to authorize, restrict or cancel data sharing at any time.
Central Bank Resolution No. 4892, in force since 2022, establishes rules for sharing data in Open Finance, ensuring confidentiality, security and traceability of each transaction.
Therefore, there is no automatic access: everything must be authorized, documented and reversible.
Understand how Open Finance works on the Central Bank's official website.
Fintechs that already use this model
Several companies already offer credit analysis services that don't focus exclusively on credit scores. These include Nubank, C6 Bank, Creditas, Mercado Pago, PicPay, and Neon.
Although some use the score as a secondary reference, none of them condition access solely on the traditional score.
Nubank, for example, uses a system of progressive limit increases based on conscious use and regular payments.
Creditas combines real collateral data with financial behavior, while Mercado Pago focuses on transactions within the platform.
Risks and responsibilities of the new model
Despite its advantages, the model is not without its challenges. The lack of standardization can lead to subjective criteria.
Therefore, fintechs must ensure transparency in the reasons for approval or rejection, and invest in financial education.
Another essential point is ethics in data analysis. Informing consumers about what data is being used and for what purpose is more than a legal obligation: it's a loyalty strategy.
The responsibility also lies with the consumer, who must understand the terms of the offer, plan payments and avoid debt.
Therefore, several fintechs offer simulators, financial organization tips, and educational channels integrated into the user experience.
Conclusion
The decision by many fintechs to grant credit without checking credit scores represents a silent revolution in the financial market.
By investing in more human data, they expand access, reduce inequalities, and build stronger relationships with customers.
In a connected, digital world, this approach isn't just modern—it's necessary.
The score doesn't need to be abandoned, but rather contextualized. True risk analysis takes into account today and tomorrow's potential.
And that's why so many Fintechs offer credit without checking your score and will continue to do so with even more assertiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is considered when analyzing these fintechs?
Criteria such as bank transactions, consistent income, and payment history in apps or digital wallets are considered.
2. Is it legal not to use the score?
Yes. As long as the fintech is registered with the Central Bank and operates in accordance with the LGPD, the practice is legal and safe.
3. Does this mean anyone can get credit?
No. Granting is still subject to risk analysis, but it is based on more current and comprehensive data.
4. Can I know why I was rejected?
Yes. Fintechs must explain the reason for the refusal in a clear and accessible manner to the consumer.
5. What if I want to cancel access to my data?
You can revoke your authorization at any time, as provided for by the LGPD.
