Credit Score Models

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Open VantageScore 4.0 to All Lenders

Published  |   Updated

Written By Informative Research

On September 9, Fannie Mae issued Lender Letter LL-2026-06 and Freddie Mac issued Bulletin 2026-H, making VantageScore® 4.0 available to every approved seller, effective immediately, with no prior approval required. This formalizes FHFA Director Bill Pulte's September 3 directive and ends the limited rollout that began in May.

  • The credit score model, Classic FICO® or VantageScore 4.0, can be chosen on a loan by loan basis, with one model for all borrowers on a given loan.
  • Manually underwritten loans require Classic FICO. Loans run through Desktop Underwriter® or Loan Product Advisor® can use either score model.
  • Both GSEs have published pricing for each score model.
  • FICO Score 10T is not yet eligible for delivery at either GSE.

At Informative Research, we deliver VantageScore 4.0 and Classic FICO from all three bureaus. The Lender Letter and Bulletin carry the specific requirements on ordering, underwriting, and delivery for each model. IR is ready to help lenders interested in implementing VantageScore 4.0.