Digital credit tools show high use and positive outcomes

By Vriti Gothi

Consumers have long expressed interest in financial wellness tools from their banks and credit unions, but questions remain around actual engagement and measurable outcomes. Early performance data from a credit management solution developed by Avant in partnership with SavvyMoney suggests that, when designed around practical use cases, such tools can drive both regular usage and improved financial outcomes.

The companies recently shared early results from Credit Builder, a feature launched to help customers better understand and manage their credit health. The tool was introduced to address gaps in credit knowledge and confidence, a challenge that affects 63% of consumers, according to a SavvyMoney survey.

Credit Builder provides users with daily credit monitoring, personalised goal-setting and progress tracking, and interactive simulations that show how specific financial actions such as paying down balances or opening new accounts could affect their credit scores. The feature aims to move beyond passive score tracking toward behavioural guidance and decision support.

Eight months after its pilot launch, the tool has seen significant uptake among Avant’s customer base. Approximately 357,000 users, representing nearly 20% of the company’s roughly two million active customers, have adopted Credit Builder. Engagement levels also appear strong, with 87% of adopters accessing the tool at least monthly.

Early outcome metrics indicate a positive impact on credit performance. According to the companies, 75% of Credit Builder users either maintained or improved their credit scores during the period.

The results highlight a broader shift in digital financial services, where lenders and financial institutions are increasingly embedding financial health capabilities into their customer experience. Rather than positioning credit education as a standalone resource, firms are integrating real-time insights, behavioural nudges, and predictive simulations into everyday digital banking journeys.

For lenders such as Avant, the strategic value extends beyond customer engagement. Improved borrower credit profiles can contribute to lower credit risk over time, while stronger financial outcomes may support customer retention and lifetime value. For technology providers like SavvyMoney, the partnership reflects growing demand for embedded credit intelligence across consumer financial platforms.

The development comes amid intensifying competition among banks, FinTechs, and credit unions to differentiate through financial wellness offerings. Institutions have invested heavily in budgeting tools, credit monitoring, and personalised insights, but industry adoption has been uneven, with many solutions seeing limited customer interaction.

The early Credit Builder metrics suggest that usage may depend less on consumer interest which surveys consistently show is high and more on relevance, simplicity, and actionable guidance.

As financial institutions seek to balance growth with responsible lending and customer outcomes, embedded credit management tools are likely to play a larger role. If engagement and performance trends continue, solutions that combine education with real-time behavioural support could become a standard component of digital lending and banking ecosystems.