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Fair Isaac tanks after government snaps FICO score monopoly for mortgage pricing. Shares of Fair Isaac, the company behind the FICO credit rating, tanked on Tuesday after government officials indicated it would no longer be the sole score used to determine mortgage pricing. Fair Isaac (FICO) stock sank about 18% on the news, according to MarketSurge. How To Use Average True Range (ATR) In A Dangerous Market Environment IBD Senior Market Strategist Mike Webster walks investors through how to use the 21-day ATR in a dangerous market environment. How To Use Average True Range (ATR) In A Dangerous Market Environment See All Videos Director of Federal Housing Bill Pulte announced the changes after the close on Monday. The new policy aims to simplify mortgage pricing by creating a single pricing grid for the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae (FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac (FMCC). The two massive government sponsored enterprises determine liquidity in the mortgage market by buying mortgages from banks, then off-loading them as bundled mortgage-based securities. What hit FICO's shares the hardest was the news that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would now also include FICO competitor VantageScore in determining the costs of getting a mortgage. VantageScore is a joint venture between three credit rating agencies Equifax (EFX), Experian (EXPGY) and TransUnion (TRU). Earlier versions of the mortgage pricing grid that separated Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rates made "zero sense," Pulte wrote on X. The news comes as mortgage rates skyrocket to around 7.5% because of record-high 10-year Treasury yields. As a result, the housing market is in a self-imposed freeze because buyers are holding out for lower rates. Also on Monday, the online mortgage lender Rocket Mortgage (RKT) became the first lender to announce it was shifting to VantageScore as its preferred credit scoring model. IBD newsletters. Get exclusive IBD analysis and actionable news daily. "The mortgage industry has relied on one credit scoring model for decades," said Rocket Mortgage CEO Jay Bray. "Competition is healthy, especially when it can lower costs and expand responsible access to homeownership. We did the work, compared the models and chose the one that helped more qualified clients." Pulte hailed the move as "seismic," in an X post on Monday evening. A bloodbath for mortgage stocks. It has been a brutal year for mortgage stocks. With mortgage rates high and edging higher, the housing market is in a rut. Homeowners are struggling to sell and wary of giving up a lower mortgage rate for a higher one. Meanwhile, first-time homebuyers are put off by such high interest rates. With 10-year Treasury yields climbing to nearly 20-year highs, there is no clear relief in sight. Shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are both down about 60% this year, according to MarketSurge. Fair Isaac declined about 50%. Rocket Mortgage fared slightly better, with a 40% drop.

VantageScore announces Xactus integration, expanding access to VantageScore 4.0 for mortgage lenders. Published: September 14, 2026 SAN FRANCISCO - September 14, 2026 - VantageScore today announced that VantageScore 4.0 credit scores are now available through Xactus360, the Intelligent Verification Platform(R) from Xactus, a fintech and market leader in verification solutions for the mortgage industry. The integration expands the credit-scoring options available to mortgage lenders through Xactus and supports more flexible, data-driven credit workflows. Through Xactus360, lenders can incorporate VantageScore 4.0 into their existing mortgage origination workflows, supporting the industry's continued transition toward modernized credit scoring. VantageScore 4.0 is a highly effective tool for lenders across the mortgage industry, powering mortgage platforms with highly accurate data and predictive credit scoring capabilities," said Dr. Rikard Bandebo, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chief Economist at VantageScore. "Leading mortgage technology platforms, such as Xactus, are evolving their processes alongside the industry as they embrace VantageScore 4.0 to better serve their lenders. Xactus is committed to helping lenders navigate credit score modernization with greater clarity, flexibility and confidence," said Mike Brown, Chief Product Officer at Xactus. "Making VantageScore 4.0 available through Xactus360 expands lender choice and supports its strategy of delivering the right data at the right time through intelligent, configurable workflows. VantageScore 4.0 adoption and availability continue to expand across the mortgage ecosystem. The model is available through mortgage technology providers, including Calyx and Optimal Blue, and has been adopted by lenders such as Rocket Mortgage. The Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Housing Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also utilize VantageScore 4.0. Seeking to pilot VantageScore 4.0? Resources for lenders interested in using VantageScore 4.0 to responsibly identify more qualified borrowers using modern, data-driven and predictive scoring are available at VantageScore.com/insights/vantagescore-4. About VantageScore(R) 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. About Xactus Xactus - a leading fintech specializing in verification solutions for the mortgage and financial services industries - leverages advanced technology and industry expertise to provide innovative solutions that streamline loan origination and servicing processes. Its Intelligent Verification Platform(R), Xactus360, enables clients to make better mortgage decisions faster while increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Media Contact Yani Pena, VantageScore [email protected] +1 (415) 740-1915

VantageScore has launched its 5.0 credit score model, the only nationwide tri-bureau system trained on post-pandemic consumer data. The new model uses patent-pending attributes to deliver up to 9% enhanced predictive performance for auto loans and unsecured loans compared to VantageScore 3.0. The model offers improved risk segmentation and reduced credit score volatility. It is optimised for unsecured lending and auto loans, incorporating proprietary GAIN attributes that capture real-time credit behaviour and historical trends. Early adopter Patelco Credit Union reported meaningful improvements in predictive performance, particularly among underserved populations. VantageScore positions the model as superior to competitors like FICO Classic and FICO 10T, emphasising its foundation in post-pandemic credit behaviour data.