FHFA, HUD move to bring new credit score models into mortgages

Federal agencies on Wednesday took steps to bring newer credit scoring models into the mortgage underwriting process, marking a significant shift in how borrower risk is evaluated.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Response to lender pleas

The Trump administration has been pressing for changes to mortgage credit scoring, citing lender complaints that costs have climbed sharply in recent years. Pulte said in During the limited rollout, approved lenders may choose between VantageScore 4.0 and Classic FICO scores using tri-merge credit reports. Lenders not participating must continue using Classic FICO scores from all three bureaus.

Similar implementation efforts are underway for FICO Score 10T, starting with the release of historical credit score data expected this summer.

Pressure on pricing

Pulte said the FHFA has pushed FICO to offer more competitive pricing. In October 2025, FICO “Right before we came up here today, I did get a phone call from the CEO of FICO,” Pulte said. “VantageScore was at about $5 per loan, and they went down to 99 cents alone … and FICO had taken their prices from $4.95 up to $10. And the FICO CEO has offered to, pending details of a FICO direct program, take the FICO score from $10 down to 99 cents with the success fee.”

Pulte said the agency’s focus may next turn to the credit bureaus, signaling broader scrutiny of mortgage-related costs: “We want people to make money, but we want people to be able to afford the American dream, and that means companies can’t rip off consumers anymore.”

Sarah Wolak contributed reporting to this story.