VantageScore 4.0, the Mortgage Credit Score, Now FHFA Approved for All Lenders Originating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Loans

• VantageScore 4.0 Responsibly Expands the Mortgage Market by Identifying More Qualified Borrowers for Homeownership
• VantageScore 4.0 is More Predictive Because it Uses 400% More Credit Report and Alternative Data than Legacy Credit Scores
• VantageScore 4.0 Implementation Unlocks Nearly $1 Billion in Annual Cost Savings Across the Mortgage Market

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte has directed Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to accept VantageScore 4.0 credit scores from all mortgage origination lenders, effective immediately. The most advanced credit score available for mortgage origination today, VantageScore 4.0, uses 400% more data to generate a credit score than legacy credit scores, providing a more predictive view of borrower creditworthiness and driving lender growth. For this reason, in addition to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, many of the largest mortgage lenders and mortgage industry participants have already adopted VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages, including Rocket Mortgage, the Federal Housing Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As of August 31^st, 2026, VantageScore 4.0 has been the sole credit score used for over 9% of all mortgages securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since May 1, 2026.

“The extraordinary pace of VantageScore 4.0 adoption signals a new era for the mortgage industry,” said Silvio Tavares, President and CEO of VantageScore. “Lenders are rapidly embracing a more modern and predictive credit score that lowers risks, reduces costs and identifies millions more creditworthy borrowers.”

VANTAGESCORE 4.0 RESPONSIBLY EXPANDS THE MORTGAGE MARKET BY IDENTIFYING MORE QUALIFIED BORROWERS FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP: VantageScore 4.0 scores approximately 33 million more U.S. adults than FICO Classic or FICO 10T, including nearly 5 million additional mortgage-ready consumers. Among these are approximately 24 million dormant-file consumers, 77% of whom score Near Prime or Prime, revealing a significant population of experienced borrowers overlooked by legacy scoring models.

VANTAGESCORE 4.0 IS MORE PREDICTIVE BECAUSE IT USES 400% MORE CREDIT REPORT AND ALTERNATIVE DATA THAN LEGACY CREDIT SCORES: VantageScore 4.0 was the first and only tri-bureau credit scoring model to utilize trended credit data. By leveraging large data sets, VantageScore uses 400% more data to generate a credit score than legacy mortgage credit scores, providing lenders with a deeper view of consumer behavior.

VANTAGESCORE 4.0 ENABLES NEARLY $1 BILLION IN COST SAVINGS ACROSS THE MORTGAGE MARKET: A recent independent study by Deep Future Analytics shows that the FHFA's approval of VantageScore 4.0 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages saves over $930 million in the first year.

VantageScore 4.0 gives lenders a more modern and predictive view of consumer credit risk, helping them responsibly identify qualified borrowers who may be overlooked by traditional credit scoring models. Don’t get left behind — explore piloting VantageScore 4.0 at www.vantagescore.com/lenders.

About VantageScore®

VantageScore is the fastest-growing credit scoring company in the U.S., and is known for the industry’s most innovative, predictive and inclusive credit score models. In 2024, usage of VantageScore increased by 55% to hit 42 billion credit scores. More than 3,700 institutions, including nine of the top 10 U.S. banks, use VantageScore credit scores and digital tools to provide consumer credit products or generate greater insights into consumer behavior. The VantageScore 4.0 credit scoring model scores 33 million more people than traditional models. With the FHFA allowing the immediate use of VantageScore 4.0 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranteed mortgages, the company is also ushering in a new era for mortgage lending.

VantageScore is an independent joint venture company owned by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.