Fannie, Freddie regulator vows to protect consumers from rising credit report fees
FHFA Director Bill Pulte's social media post dented Equifax, Experian and TransUnion shares as the Mortgage Bankers Association renewed calls to do away with tri-merge reporting
by Matt Carter Jan 6
Cotality and Ascend licensed to generate FICO scores for lenders
Fair Isaac's Mortgage Direct License Program is aimed at eliminating mark-ups charged by credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — backers of competing VantageScore
by Matt Carter Dec 18
Fannie, Freddie moving to adopt more inclusive credit scores
Lenders to get historical FICO Score 10T data within weeks, setting the stage for the eventual retirement of FICO Classic score and competition with VantageScore 4.0
by Matt Carter Dec 3
Mortgage giants 'very close' to accepting new FICO score
FHFA Director Bill Pulte says his agency is reviewing a deal with Fair Isaac to allow lenders to use the more inclusive FICO Score 10 T when selling loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Nov 10
Why Fannie and Freddie still won't accept more inclusive credit score
FHFA Director Bill Pulte ordered the mortgage giants to start using VantageScore 4.0 in July. But adoption is a 'complex, technical and arcane' process that could drag into next year
by Matt Carter Nov 7
Equifax cuts VantageScore 4.0 mortgage credit scores to $4.50
Once Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are ready to start accepting VantageScore 4.0, the algorithm will go head-to-head with the less inclusive FICO Classic score for conforming loans
by Matt Carter Oct 10
Mortgage bankers take a stand against tri-merge credit reporting
Consumer group claims FHFA's plan to pit VantageScore 4.0 against older FICO Classic score on Fannie, Freddie loans will make 'anti-competitive natures of the credit scoring market even worse'
by Matt Carter Aug 6
Elizabeth Warren calls Pulte out for social media attacks on Powell
114 posts in July alone raise 'significant questions about your judgment and commitment to operating FHFA in a responsible, competent, and lawful manner,' Senator scolds regulator
by Matt Carter Jul 21
Backers of rival mortgage credit scores wage public relations war
As new scoring models by Fair Isaac and VantageScore vie for acceptance by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, claims and counterclaims fly. For now, mortgage giants are stuck with FICO Classic
by Matt Carter Jul 17
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not accepting VantageScore 4.0
Once selling guides are updated, lenders will have the option of using either VantageScore 4.0 or the Classic FICO scoring model, but FICO Score 10 T remains in limbo, FHFA says
by Matt Carter Jul 16
Mortgage lenders ask for more guidance on VantageScore 4.0
FHFA Director Bill Pulte is reportedly 'on thin ice' with several Trump administration officials over lack of communication on new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac credit score policy
by Matt Carter Jul 11
New rules for Fannie, Freddie credit scoring are stumping lenders
Mortgage giants allegedly weren't informed in advance that they'd be required to accept VantageScore 4.0, and lenders have lots of questions about how the new process will work
by Matt Carter Jul 9
Fannie, Freddie ordered to accept new VantageScore 4.0 credit score
While questions remain about details of the new policy, FHFA Director Bill Pulte says mortgage lenders must still use 'tri-merge' process to obtain scores from all 3 major credit bureaus
by Matt Carter Jul 8
Rollout of new mortgage credit scoring models pushed back
Plan to require lenders working with Fannie and Freddie to use FICO Score 10 T and VantageScore 4.0 models by Q4 2025 has been dropped, with new implementation date 'TBD'
by Matt Carter Jan 17
Mortgage lenders gearing up to use more inclusive credit scoring
Release of historical credit scores on tens of millions of loans will help lenders prepare for transition to VantageScore 4.0 next year. Release of FICO Score 10 T data next on deck
by Matt Carter Jul 29