Mortgage lenders do not all use one universal credit score. For eligible loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, approved lenders may currently use Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0. FHA has separately announced VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T as eligible models for FHA-insured underwriting. The loan program and lender determine which rules apply, so ask which model will be used for your application.
Which score models can mortgage lenders use?
The answer depends on the loan channel. A model’s approval for one program does not automatically make it eligible for another.
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| Loan context | Models identified | What the policy means |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible loan sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac | Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0 | Approved lenders may select either model under current Enterprise requirements. FHFA’s credit-score policy describes the rules. |
| Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac delivery using FICO 10T | FICO 10T | Although approved for Enterprise use in 2022, FHFA says FICO 10T is not currently eligible for delivery to the Enterprises. See FHFA’s current policy. |
| FHA-insured mortgage underwriting | VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T | FHA announced these as eligible models on April 22, 2026. Confirm the operative FHA guidance and your lender’s implementation for your application. Read FHA’s announcement. |
| Other lenders or loan products | Not stated in the agency policies above | Do not assume the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or FHA rules apply to every product; ask the lender which rules govern your loan. |
What changed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
On September 9, 2026, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said the Enterprises expanded VantageScore 4.0 availability to all approved lenders, removing the previous prior-written-approval requirement. For eligible loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, approved lenders may choose Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0 in accordance with the applicable Selling Guides. FHFA’s policy page is the current reference for Enterprise eligibility.
This is a lender choice, not a borrower right to select whichever model produces the higher number. For a given Enterprise loan, the same selected model must be used for all borrowers on that loan; lenders cannot mix models across co-borrowers.
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How does FHA differ from an Enterprise loan?
FHA-insured mortgages have a separate policy path. On April 22, 2026, FHFA announced that FHA would permit VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T as eligible models for FHA-insured underwriting. That announcement also discussed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac moving forward with VantageScore 4.0, but the two channels should not be conflated: FHA eligibility does not make FICO 10T currently eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The FHA announcement sets out the FHA change.
Why might a score in an app differ from the lender’s score?
A score displayed by a bank or consumer app may not identify the model the lender will use for mortgage underwriting. Scores from different models should not be treated as interchangeable readings of a single scale. First find out which loan channel and score model apply, then compare scores only if they use the same model and relevant reporting information.
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- CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVES: All your clients' financial questions whether they are buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions
- DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
- FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: At the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or tvm calculations Find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
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Does choosing VantageScore change the credit-report requirements?
Not necessarily. FHFA says VantageScore 4.0’s introduction does not initially change Enterprise credit-reporting requirements; the interim policy retains the tri-merge requirement. A score model is the method used to calculate a score, while a credit-report configuration concerns the reports used in the process. Confirm the requirements for your particular program and lender.
What to ask your lender
Ask: “For my loan program, which score model will underwriting use, and what credit-report requirements apply?” If you are comparing an app’s score with information from your lender, ask the lender to identify the model and loan channel before drawing conclusions. The applicable policy can depend on the program and lender, and agency eligibility alone does not establish your score, approval outcome, or loan pricing.
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- SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE: Keys clearly labeled in residential mortgage finance terms like Loan Amt, Int, Term, Pmt; this industry-standard calculator is super easy to use on all realty financing matters from finding a loan that works for your client to considering trust deeds investments, or finding remaining balances or balloon payments and more
- CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVE: Clients' financial questions whether they're buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions from PITI Payments to IRR, NPV and Cashflows
- DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
- FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: For your client at the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or TVM calculations find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
- BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE: To your clients by reducing their confusion and uncertainty; ensuring they are able to make a purchase offer; knowing they can afford the down payment; and determining which is the right loan for them. Date-math for listings and contracts too. Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket user's guide, and long-life battery
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- INSTANT FINANCIAL PROBLEM SOLVING: Solve the financial questions your clients have whether they are buyers, investors or renters; increase your perceived professionalism and close more home sales by quickly answering real estate finance problems including remaining balances
- RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE TERMS: Keys labeled in residential real estate finance terms like Loan AMT, Int, Term, PMT; Calculator is super easy to use to determine a mortgage loan that works for your client
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- COMES COMPLETE: Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket user's guide, two long-life batteries, and 1-year warranty
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