Creditvana Key Takeaways: FICO Now Includes Buy Now, Pay Later in Credit Scores
1. FICO introduces new credit scores that include Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) repayment data.
FICO has launched two new credit scoring models that factor in consumers’ history of paying back BNPL loans—short-term, interest-free installment plans offered by companies like Affirm.
2. Lenders get a clearer view of your borrowing behavior.
These updated scores aim to give lenders a more complete picture of your financial habits, especially if BNPL is your main or first form of credit.
3. BNPL has lacked consistent credit reporting—until now.
Historically, BNPL activity hasn’t been reported to credit bureaus in a standardized way. This made it difficult for lenders—and even consumers—to understand how these loans impact credit health.
4. Why this matters:
If you’ve used BNPL (like “Pay in 4” plans), your responsible repayment habits may now help strengthen your credit profile in FICO’s newer scoring models.
💡 What’s Changing in the Credit World?
FICO, the company behind the most widely used credit scores in the U.S., has worked with BNPL provider Affirm to analyze how these types of loans influence consumer credit behavior.
Their findings led to the launch of two new scoring models that now incorporate BNPL data — an important step in recognizing how modern consumers borrow and repay.
🧾 BNPL in a Nutshell:
Buy Now, Pay Later plans split your purchases into 4 equal, interest-free payments, usually deducted every two weeks. BNPL is easy to access, and now, it might start showing up in how lenders view your creditworthiness.
🧠 What It Means for You
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Used BNPL responsibly? That could now work in your favor.
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Just starting your credit journey? BNPL may help establish credit history faster—if reported and repaid on time.
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Expect to see BNPL data in newer credit scores, especially if lenders begin adopting FICO’s updated models.
“BNPL is becoming a key part of how people manage money,” said Julie May, VP at FICO. “These new scores help lenders see that, especially for younger consumers or those with thin credit files.”
⚠️ A Quick Heads-Up
Not all BNPL providers or lenders are reporting this data yet. And not all lenders are using the latest FICO models. So your traditional credit score might not reflect BNPL activity—yet.
Still, this is a big shift in how alternative credit is recognized, and it’s worth keeping an eye on if you’re using services like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, or Zip.
🔍 Creditvana Tip:
Start checking your credit regularly—not just your score, but your full report. As new models roll out, monitoring your full credit profile can help you stay ahead of changes, catch errors early, and understand what’s really driving your score.
Stay in the know. Stay in control.
Creditvana helps you track your credit and protect your financial future — effortlessly.
