A study by Andrew Davidson & Co. found meaningful credit score discrepancies among the three major bureaus — a key data point for those arguing in favor of maintaining the tri-merge standard rather than shifting to a bi-merge or single-report model. According to the paper, released Friday, 35% of the 245 million scored consumers in […]
Study reveals bureau score gaps, fueling tri-merge credit debate Read More »
At a time when lack of affordability is a major issue for prospective homebuyers, eliminating minimum credit score requirements in GSE automated underwriting may sound like a great idea to expand credit access. However, there’s a reason the GSEs had such requirements in place for decades. They acted as an important override against errors in the analytical
Easing GSE credit score requirements raises risk concerns Read More »
Credit report prices for mortgage lenders will increase by up to 50% in 2026, despite regulatory efforts to boost competition and recent pricing shifts by some players, resellers told HousingWire. It will mark the fourth consecutive year of higher costs. The increase is tied to credit reports that originate with FICO information and flow through
Mortgage credit report costs could jump 50% in 2026 Read More »
The way that mortgage lenders assess credit risk is undergoing its biggest overhaul in decades as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is preparing to roll out a new framework that allows lenders to use two scoring models — FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0. FHFA Director Bill Pulte and the Trump administration have voiced support
Mortgage credit model overhaul: FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 Read More »
The number of consumers whose rent payments are reported to credit reporting agencies rose to 13% in 2025, according to TransUnion‘s latest Rent Payment Reporting analysis, released on Wednesday. That number is up from 11% in 2024. In a press release, the company suggested that this trend may gain momentum after the July 2025 directive
Consumers are increasingly self-reporting rent payments, TransUnion says Read More »
Nearly two dozen members of Congress recently sent a letter to Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), that supports his decision to accept VantageScore 4.0 credit scores for mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The lawmakers, led by Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), said that the move will help President
Lawmakers voice support for FHFA’s adoption of VantageScore 4.0 Read More »
VantageScore and FICO have escalated their rivalry in the mortgage space following the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) decision to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase loans underwritten with VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative to the Classic FICO score. Both companies published analyses this week from their data scientists. Naturally, each claims their score more
Which is better for mortgage — FICO or VantageScore? Read More »
In the days following the announcement that VantageScore 4.0 was suddenly in play for conventional mortgages, FinLocker‘s Brian Vieaux had to burst some bubbles. Most of the 15 to 20 loan officers he spoke to were ecstatic about being able to use the new credit scoring model. Millions of new prospective borrowers could be scored
VantageScore 4.0 is coming. But much work needs to be done Read More »
Mortgage industry professionals had more questions than answers following last week’s bombshell announcement that the government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have approved the use of VantageScore 4.0, a new credit scoring model. A week after the initial announcement, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte answered several key questions. In an FAQ
FHFA clarifies key VantageScore 4.0 implementation questions Read More »
After a statement made last week in condemning the credit-score pricing practices of Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte is now being complimented for his position by the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA). CHLA on Tuesday sent a letter to Pulte, saying that FICO “has a clear monopoly
CHLA offers support for Pulte’s position on FICO pricing Read More »