{
  "name": "CTI Mortgage Credit Score Acceptance Tracker",
  "description": "Credit score model acceptance and credit report requirements by mortgage loan program, with a source and an as-of date on every row.",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Credit Technologies, Inc.",
  "url": "https://www.credittechnologies.com/credit-score-tracker",
  "last_reviewed": "2026-09-08",
  "next_review": "2026-10-06",
  "review_cadence_days": 28,
  "status_legend": {
    "accepted": "Accepted for delivery today",
    "accepted_with_conditions": "Accepted, with conditions noted",
    "expected": "Announced, effective date not yet reached",
    "pending": "Approved by the regulator, not yet accepted for delivery",
    "in_use": "In use on non-agency programs; investor-specific",
    "investor": "Set by each investor",
    "lender_set": "Set by lender and investor overlays",
    "required": "Required",
    "unverified": "No published guidance located; we are checking",
    "not_applicable": "Not applicable"
  },
  "status_rows": [
    {
      "key": "conventional",
      "program": "Conventional (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac)",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": "FICO Scores 2, 4 and 5, middle-of-three, lower-of-two for joint borrowers."
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": "Eligible for delivery since April 22, 2026 (Fannie Mae SEL-2026-04; first deliveries May 1). FHFA directed on September 3, 2026 that all lenders be approved. A Selling Guide amendment implementing the all-lender change had not been published as of September 8, 2026; lenders are working through their account teams."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "pending",
        "note": "Approved by FHFA. Fannie Mae states FICO 10T will be available for delivery at a later date, after the market has analyzed the historical data released July 1, 2026."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "required",
        "note": "Tri-merge required. FHFA said on September 3, 2026 it is seriously considering bi-merge; HousingWire reported on September 4 that a single credit report is also being weighed. No rule issued."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": [
        "fhfa-2026-04-22",
        "fnma-sel-2026-04",
        "fnma-faq-2026-07",
        "scotsman-2026-09-03",
        "hw-2026-09-04",
        "usaherald-2026-09-05",
        "mortgagepoint-2026-09-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "key": "fha",
      "program": "FHA",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": "Retained; industry sources report FHA will not sunset Classic FICO."
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "expected",
        "note": "HUD announced on April 22, 2026 that FHA would accept the new models in the coming months. Industry sources told HousingWire (August 28, 2026) that acceptance is expected for case numbers dated on or after January 1, 2027, with one model used consistently within a loan file. No Mortgagee Letter had been issued as of September 8, 2026."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "expected",
        "note": "Same timeline and conditions as VantageScore 4.0, per the same sources."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "required",
        "note": "FHA has stated it will keep the three-bureau requirement even as newer models are adopted (National Mortgage Professional, May 26, 2026)."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": [
        "hud-2026-04-22",
        "hw-2026-08-28",
        "nmp-2026-05-26"
      ]
    },
    {
      "key": "va",
      "program": "VA",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": ""
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": "VA has no specific credit score model requirement and has accepted loans scored with VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T since at least 2024."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": "See VantageScore 4.0 note."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "lender_set",
        "note": "Per lender and investor overlays."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": [
        "nmn-2026-07-28"
      ]
    },
    {
      "key": "usda",
      "program": "USDA",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": ""
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "note": "No USDA announcement located as of September 8, 2026. Row will be updated when Rural Development publishes guidance."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "note": "As above."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "required",
        "note": "Tri-merge per current handbook; unverified for changes."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "key": "non-qm",
      "program": "Non-QM, non-conforming and portfolio",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "Set by each investor."
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "in_use",
        "note": "In use by non-agency programs; requirements are investor-specific."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "in_use",
        "note": "FICO's Free Access Program provides FICO Score 10T alongside Classic FICO through dual processing at no additional fee from FICO for participating lenders; more than 70 lenders had adopted or committed as of July 28, 2026. Early adoption has been concentrated in non-conforming programs."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "Tri-merge typical; investor-specific."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": [
        "fico-2026-07-28",
        "fico-2026-02-03",
        "nmn-2026-07-28"
      ]
    },
    {
      "key": "mortgage-insurers",
      "program": "Private mortgage insurers (PMIERs)",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "accepted",
        "note": ""
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "accepted_with_conditions",
        "note": "GSE PMIERs guidance published July 29, 2026 and effective September 30, 2026 adds a VantageScore 4.0 grid that generally requires more risk-based assets than the Classic FICO grid in many tiers. Where both scores are present, the insurer may choose which to use for the calculation."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "note": "Not addressed in the July 29 guidance as reported."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "not_applicable",
        "note": ""
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": [
        "hw-2026-08-11"
      ]
    },
    {
      "key": "jumbo",
      "program": "Jumbo and other investor programs",
      "classic_fico": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "Set by each investor."
      },
      "vantagescore_4": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "Set by each investor; ask before ordering."
      },
      "fico_10t": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "As above."
      },
      "report": {
        "status": "investor",
        "note": "Tri-merge typical."
      },
      "as_of": "2026-09-08",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-09-08",
      "change": "Page created. Conventional row reflects the September 3 FHFA direction and the absence of a Selling Guide amendment as of this date. FHA row carries the January 1, 2027 expectation from industry sources, no Mortgagee Letter yet. MI row added from the July 29 PMIERs guidance.",
      "source": "See sources list"
    }
  ],
  "open_questions": [
    "When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will publish guide changes implementing the September 3 all-lender direction.",
    "The date FICO Score 10T becomes eligible for GSE delivery.",
    "Whether FHFA will propose a two-bureau report, a single-bureau option, or neither, and on what timeline.",
    "What FHFA means by SAFER and SOUNDER in its September 3 statement. We do not speculate.",
    "FHA's Mortgagee Letter for the new models.",
    "USDA guidance."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "fhfa-2026-04-22",
      "title": "FHFA announcement: VantageScore 4.0 limited rollout",
      "publisher": "FHFA",
      "date": "2026-04-22",
      "url": "https://www.fhfa.gov/news"
    },
    {
      "id": "fnma-sel-2026-04",
      "title": "Fannie Mae Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2026-04",
      "publisher": "Fannie Mae",
      "date": "2026-04-22",
      "url": "https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "fnma-faq-2026-07",
      "title": "Fannie Mae Credit Score Models FAQ (July 2026)",
      "publisher": "Fannie Mae",
      "date": "2026-07-01",
      "url": "https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "scotsman-2026-09-03",
      "title": "Pulte instructs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to accept VantageScore for all lenders",
      "publisher": "Scotsman Guide",
      "date": "2026-09-03",
      "url": "https://www.scotsmanguide.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "hw-2026-09-04",
      "title": "Pulte says FHFA weighing bi-merge, single credit report",
      "publisher": "HousingWire",
      "date": "2026-09-04",
      "url": "https://www.housingwire.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "mortgagepoint-2026-09-08",
      "title": "Pulte directs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to approve all lenders for VantageScore 4.0",
      "publisher": "The Mortgage Point",
      "date": "2026-09-08",
      "url": "https://themortgagepoint.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "usaherald-2026-09-05",
      "title": "FHFA opens VantageScore 4.0 to all lenders; Selling Guide amendment pending",
      "publisher": "USA Herald",
      "date": "2026-09-05",
      "url": "https://usaherald.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "hud-2026-04-22",
      "title": "HUD announcement on FHA acceptance of new credit score models",
      "publisher": "HUD",
      "date": "2026-04-22",
      "url": "https://www.hud.gov/press"
    },
    {
      "id": "hw-2026-08-28",
      "title": "FHA expected to keep Classic FICO as it adds new models in January",
      "publisher": "HousingWire",
      "date": "2026-08-28",
      "url": "https://www.housingwire.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "nmp-2026-05-26",
      "title": "FHA to keep three-bureau reports as newer models are adopted",
      "publisher": "National Mortgage Professional",
      "date": "2026-05-26",
      "url": "https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "nmn-2026-07-28",
      "title": "More than 70 lenders adopt FICO 10T; VA accepts new models",
      "publisher": "National Mortgage News",
      "date": "2026-07-28",
      "url": "https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "fico-2026-07-28",
      "title": "FICO Score 10T Free Access Program",
      "publisher": "FICO",
      "date": "2026-07-28",
      "url": "https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom"
    },
    {
      "id": "fico-2026-02-03",
      "title": "FICO Score 10T Adopter Program for non-conforming mortgage loans",
      "publisher": "FICO",
      "date": "2026-02-03",
      "url": "https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom"
    },
    {
      "id": "hw-2026-08-11",
      "title": "Mortgage insurers face larger safety net rule for VantageScore 4.0",
      "publisher": "HousingWire",
      "date": "2026-08-11",
      "url": "https://www.housingwire.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "hw-2026-02-03",
      "title": "Housing Policy Council: FHFA pushed new credit model despite GSE resistance",
      "publisher": "HousingWire",
      "date": "2026-02-03",
      "url": "https://www.housingwire.com/"
    },
    {
      "id": "hw-2026-07-01",
      "title": "GSEs release historical FICO 10T data, expand VantageScore 4.0 file",
      "publisher": "HousingWire",
      "date": "2026-07-01",
      "url": "https://www.housingwire.com/"
    }
  ]
}