Credit Score Models and Reports Initiative
Credit score options and insights expanded
On April 22, U.S. Federal Housing (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) will:
- Update their selling policies to allow for the current use of VantageScore® 4.0 and future use of FICO® Score 10T credit scores, and
- This summer, publish additional historical credit score data for loans acquired between April 2013 and September 2025 for FICO Score 10T, as well as additional data for VantageScore 4.0 between April 2023 and September 2025.
Together, these updates represent another step forward in the multi-year effort to modernize credit scoring and is intended to help foster competition and innovation, potentially lower lending costs, and provide new insights to support a smooth transition to our industry partners.
Read press release View Selling Guide announcement
VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T Credit Score Model Update
What’s Changing
The Fannie Mae Selling Guide will be updated to allow for the current use of VantageScore 4.0 and future use of FICO Score 10T credit scores for loans delivered to Fannie Mae. These changes are effective immediately and will be implemented through a limited lender rollout to help ensure operational readiness across our systems and the industry before making it broadly available.
What Stays the Same
Lenders not participating in the limited rollout must continue using Classic FICO scores from all three credit bureaus for Desktop Underwriter® and manually underwritten loans until receiving approval for new score usage or broad availability.
Timeline and Next Steps
- VantageScore 4.0
- Available now for a limited number of approved lenders to use through a tri-merge credit report from each credit bureau for new casefiles submitted via Desktop Underwriter® and loans delivered through Loan Delivery. Lenders interested in using VantageScore 4.0 can express interest online or contact their Fannie Mae representative.
- FICO Score 10T
- Available at a later date. We'll provide advance notice and implementation guidance before launch.
Refer to the Partner Playbook for more information.
Previous Announcements & Statements
Current Credit Score Model
In accordance with the requirements of the Validation and Approval of Credit Score Models Rule (12 C.F.R. Part 1254), Fannie Mae performed the required assessments for the Classic FICO credit score model and determined that Classic FICO should be approved for continued use by Fannie Mae. The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced its approval of this determination on Nov. 10, 2020. This was an incremental step until further updates in accordance with the Rule.
