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54 | TH E M R EP O RT O R I G I NAT I O N S E R V I C I N G DATA G O V E R N M E N T S E C O N DA R Y M A R K E T THE LATEST GOVERNMENT T hrough a late-October announcement, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) stated it has "validated and approved" of the FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 credit scoring models and will be accepted for use by govern- ment-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs). The two scoring models have been in use for some time through alternative channels but can now be used to apply and secure a government-backed mortgage. According to FICO, the FICO 10T model is designed to outper- form all previous scoring models and is touted to be the most predicted and comprehensive model developed by the company to calculate borrowers credit risk by including borrower payment histories. FICO estimates that the new score could reduce mortgage defaults by 17%. VantageScore 4.0 is an independent joint-venture between the three credit bu- reaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This score takes into account rent and utility payments, allowing those with no credit history a chance to secure better financing due to additional data points. They claim their model can score 96% of the country's adult population. "Today's decision will benefit borrowers and the Enterprises, along with maintaining safety and soundness," said Sandra L. Thompson, Director of the FHFA. "While implementing the newer credit score models is a significant change that will take time and require close coordination across the industry, the models bring improved accuracy and a more inclusive approach to evaluating borrowers." The adoption of the scores will be a multiyear effort. Once fully adopted, all lenders will be required to deliver both new scores for each GSE-backed loan. The FHFA and the GSEs will be monitoring implementation and conducting outreach to borrow- ers and lenders alike to ensure a smooth transition. "Owning a home remains one of the most important ways Americans build wealth and financial security. FHFA's ac- tion will enable millions more creditworthy Americans to have access to mortgages by using VantageScore's more predic- tive credit score," said Silvio Tavares, President & CEO of VantageScore. "We would like to extend a sincere thanks to FHFA Acting Director Sandra Thompson, the FHFA and the GSEs for their leadership in undertaking this thorough process and the many advocates that, for over a decade, have elevated this important initiative," said Tavares. "We look forward to continuing to help industry stakeholders quickly and smoothly transition to VantageScore." Credit scores were first intro- duced in 1989 and since then the GSEs relied on the classic FICO score. This announcement is the result of a years-long effort by FHFA and the GSEs to imple- ment Section 310 of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. The new models improve accuracy by capturing new payment histories for borrowers when available, such as rent, utilities, and telecom payments. FHFA also announced today that the GSEs will work toward changing the requirement that lenders provide credit reports from all three nationwide con- sumer reporting agencies (CRAs). Instead, the GSEs will require lenders to provide credit reports from two of the three nationwide CRAs. The GSEs will work with stakeholders on a plan for implementing the change from a tri-merge credit report require- ment to a bi-merge credit report requirement in the future. FHFA Approves New Credit Scoring Models for GSEs "Today's decision will benefit borrowers and the Enterprises, along with maintaining safety and soundness," said Sandra L. Thompson, Director of the FHFA. "Owning a home remains one of the most important ways Americans build wealth and financial security. " —Silvio Tavares, President & CEO, VantageScore