VantageScore 4.0 Adopted by Fannie and Freddie
GSEs will adopt VantageScore 4.0, prompting limited tri-merge rollouts and summer historical-data releases to help lenders validate models, adjust pricing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fannie and Freddie allowed limited tri-merge rollouts for VantageScore 4.0 in origination and underwriting.
- They will publish historical score data in summer 2026 to support lender validation and model testing.
- VantageScore 4.0 adds rent and utility payment data to expand scoring coverage and improve risk prediction.
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Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration said April 22, 2026, they will adopt VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T for mortgage underwriting. The new models incorporate rent and utility payments to broaden scoring and increase competition among credit models.
Regulatory Approval and Rollout
The Federal Housing Finance Agency approved VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in July 2025 after validation. FHFA regulates the two government-sponsored enterprises, which support about $8.5 trillion in U.S. mortgage finance.
Fannie Mae updated its Selling Guide to allow a limited rollout of VantageScore 4.0 for origination and automated underwriting using tri-merge credit reports from approved lenders, effective immediately. Freddie Mac began accepting VantageScore 4.0 in a limited rollout and will accept tri-merge reports through its Loan Product Advisor system. Lenders not participating may continue using Classic FICO scores.
Both agencies plan to publish historical score data this summer to support lender validation and model testing. FICO 10T history will cover April 2013 through September 2025, while VantageScore 4.0 history will span April 2023 through September 2025.
Market Impact and Access
VantageScore 4.0 integrates trended credit data along with on-time rent and utility payments to improve default-risk prediction and expand scoring coverage to more consumers. The change fulfills the 2018 Credit Score Competition Act, which aims to encourage alternative data and model competition.
Industry projections estimate that increased competition and broader scoring could reduce costs for consumers and lenders by up to $1 billion in the first year. The new models are expected to enhance risk management, increase efficiency, and expand homeownership access for creditworthy borrowers who may have been overlooked under older systems.
