MoCaFi

CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY

Approximately 25% of households do not have a traditional bank account in the U.S., and those that do often are unable to utilize the financial institutions to their fullest extent given low credit scores. Credit scores are often low when people have “thin files” resulting from a lack of experience with traditional credit building products like credit cards, which means access to financial products, like loans, or integration in the digital economy, can be impossible.

Result

Built on the power of a tri-sector model, MoCaFi has created financial products that improve credit scores and serve those that have been left out of the traditional banking and digital economy.

In a society where ½ the population doesn’t have the $400 that it takes to manage an unexpected expense, having credit and a banking relationship is paramount to improve financial and social outcomes.

A platform for credit score improvement and financial literacy can create more resilient communities.

 

Note: NewView and its employees have worked with MoCaFi.

Multi-Sector Approach
Public Sector

Payment data from public entities can provide valuable information to enhance credit scores and in turn financial inclusion.

Private Sector

MoCaFi addresses an underserved market and augments credit bureau reporting data.

Social Sector

Facilitates access to financial literacy and services for their clients.

Breaking Down the Process

See the problems differently

How can one improve financial inclusion and well-being using current assets and actions? MoCaFi saw a way to use the everyday data already available to reveal people’s actual credit worthiness and improve their ability to benefit from the financial system and become part of the digital economy.

Break Siloes

Who has the resources to solve this problem?

People interact with companies and government agencies regularly to pay rent, utilities, receive benefits and spend their money on food, housing, etc. This data can be harnessed for their benefit. For example, consistent, on-time rent payments to housing authorities can be used to expose strong credit-like behavior, something previously unreported to credit bureaus. Barriers between government housing agencies and private sector credit bureaus can be broken. Building credit traditionally means getting financial literacy support from non-profits. But education and financial coaching does not have to be siloed – it can be brought across the sectors to be front-and-center for the customer, baked into a MoCaFi banking product to help people “live wealthy”.

Repurpose

How can assets be given new life?

MoCaFi leverages highly frequented retail locations like convenience stores – traditional outposts for sending cash – for rent payments, simplifying the process and allowing the data to be captured by MoCaFi to improve credit scores. This is one example of how this data, along with the other transaction data MoCaFi collects through their financial products, can be used to help identify loan worthiness, mortgage readiness and build traditional credit.

Engage Self-interest for sustainable fuel

How do we create sustainable fuel?

This process creates a win-win for each player and sector in the ecosystem.

  • MoCaFi’s provision of easier and more convenient rent payment mechanisms saves the public housing agencies time and money while providing more security for rent payments.
  • Tenants can increase their credit scores through their regular behavior, putting them on a path of economic mobility.
  • For nonprofits focused on community and economic development, like the YWCA, MoCaFi helps them meet their goals – providing more financial security and literacy for their stakeholders.
  • MoCaFi as a private company provides a unique service to potential customers, gains insights for new products, and by assisting the clients of government agencies and nonprofits gains proprietary customer acquisition.

Realign

What business model changes create the win?

By thinking about the credit problems people face more holistically, data such as rent payments can be repurposed and re-aligned to improve customer credit scores. Moreover, by thinking of markets and data differently, more inclusive financial products can be developed. For example, governments are no longer just a landlord in government-owned housing, but are an ally in building their tenants’ credit and financial futures by aligning their business model with MoCaFi.

 

Learn more about MoCaFi.