Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released historical credit score data this week for FICO Score 10T and expanded their VantageScore 4.0 file. The government-sponsored enterprises made the data available to lenders, servicers, and investors who rely on their mortgage platforms.
FICO Score 10T represents the latest iteration of the dominant credit scoring model used in mortgage underwriting. The historical dataset allows lenders to backtest lending strategies and model how borrowers would have performed under the newer scoring methodology. This matters because lenders currently use FICO 8 and FICO 9 for most mortgage decisions. Moving to 10T could shift approval rates and pricing across the market.
VantageScore 4.0 remains a secondary model in mortgage lending but has gained traction as an alternative scoring tool. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae expanded the VantageScore 4.0 file to give lenders more robust historical performance data.
For mortgage lenders, this release enables stress-testing against new scoring models before implementing them in live underwriting. Lenders can measure how many additional borrowers would qualify under 10T or identify segments where their portfolios face risk.
For borrowers, the data release signals potential future shifts in credit scoring. A move to FICO 10T could affect approval odds and interest rates, depending on individual credit profiles. Some borrowers with recent credit issues may see improved scores under 10T because the model weighs recent delinquencies less heavily than older models.
For investors purchasing mortgage-backed securities, expanded scoring data reduces uncertainty. The historical file allows them to model default risk across different credit scoring regimes.
The GSEs did not announce plans to mandate FICO 10T for all loans. Lenders retain discretion on which models to use. However, the data release suggests