The news: Plaid introduced a credit risk score based on real-time cash flow data as it dives further into credit scoring amid an industrywide push to monetize formerly unused or underused data sources. The fintech, a huge player in data aggregation, has diversified its business interests as aggregation has commoditized.

How we got here: Traditional credit scoring mechanisms have been accused of bias against certain classes of consumers because they don’t accurately reflect an ability to repay loans. Traditional credit measures may be a particular problem for Gen Zers as they seek access to credit: Many have thin credit files and may use credit products that haven’t been reported to scoring agencies. Heavy use of buy now, pay later and reliance on debit cards compound the issue.

The outlook isn’t sunny: A recent Harris Poll survey pointed to consumers’ rising household expenses and concerns about the economy. Average consumer credit scores recently declined, according to a FICO report, and credit scores among Gen Zers who have them are reportedly under particular pressure.

Problems: The low cost of ACH, for example, makes it attractive to landlords for collecting rent payments, which aren’t likely to appear in a credit file. The prevalence of the subscription payment model for services creates a record of payment consistency. But this is invisible to credit bureaus if paid via debit card.

Solutions: Consumer-permissioned financial data shows promise as a new pipeline for consumer credit information. Consumers’ ability to consistently use their data in real time to support credit decisions would make it easier to give the “credit invisible”—including Gen Zers, who are early in their financial lives—access to credit.

But the introduction of new forms of credit data doesn’t guarantee anything will change for consumers who struggle to access credit. Providers of credit products need to accept those measures for creditworthiness checks, either directly or as part of a rating like VantageScore or the FICO score. Either will take time.