Credit & Scoring
A borrower’s score decides the price of the loan, and the rules for producing that score are in the middle of a rewrite. This section covers the scoring models mortgage lenders are allowed to use, what rapid rescoring can and cannot do, and how tradelines, inquiries and disputes read on a mortgage credit report. It is written for the person who has to explain the number to the borrower.
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TrackerWhat Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use? Accepted Models and Report Requirements, Updated September 2026
Mortgage lenders use one of three approved score models: Classic FICO, VantageScore 4.0, or FICO Score 10T. This tracker states what each loan program accepts today, with a source and an as-of date on every row.
GuideRapid Rescoring vs. Credit Repair vs. Debt Settlement: What Actually Moves a Mortgage Approval
Rapid rescoring, credit repair, and debt settlement sound similar and work nothing alike. What each one does to a credit report, who pays, how long it takes, and what it means for a mortgage approval. From the company that invented rescoring in 1997.
GuideWhat Is a Tradeline? A Mortgage Lender's Guide
A tradeline is any account on a credit report, from a credit card to a mortgage. This guide covers what tradelines contain, how they drive FICO and VantageScore results, why their impact is often counter-intuitive, and why accurate tradeline data is the foundation of any score improvement.
GuideWhat Is a Rapid Rescore? A Guide for Mortgage Lenders
A rapid rescore updates corrected or outdated credit data in days, lifting a borderline FICO score and clearing conditions that stall an approval. Here is how rescoring works and why one rescore is often a built-in pricing advantage.
UpdateThe New Center: How Smart Lenders Are Navigating the 2026 Credit & Market Shakeup
Rising credit costs, scoring model upheaval, trigger lead restrictions, and a fragile housing market are converging in 2026. Here is how lenders can find stable ground.
UpdateAI-Powered Credit Scoring: What Mortgage Lenders Need to Know in 2026
All three major credit bureaus launched AI-powered scoring models in Q1 2026. Learn how Experian Boost AI, Equifax AI Mortgage Score, and TransUnion CreditVision AI are changing mortgage underwriting—and what your lending operation needs to do now.
GuideHow Soft Credit Inquiries Help Loan Officers Pre-Qualify Borrowers
Discover how soft pull credit checks protect borrower credit scores while enabling loan officers to provide faster, more accurate mortgage pre-qualification. Learn the difference between credit inquiry types and best practices for implementation.
