Written by: Internal Analysis & Opinion Writers
FICO has reached an agreement with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to release the historical datasets for its newer credit‑score model, FICO 10T, paving the way for broader adoption by the major government‑sponsored enterprises (GSEs).
In a corporate announcement, FICO said the three national credit bureaus will deliver 10T data connected to single‑family loan‑level records to the GSEs. Lenders, investors, risk‑modelers and other industry participants will then have access to that data — including updated records through 2025 — via the websites of the GSEs. This represents a major step toward greater transparency.
The move follows public remarks by FHFA Director Bill Pulte, who earlier this fall suggested the agency was close to finalizing a deal to add FICO 10T to the suite of approved scoring models for loans underwritten by the GSEs. Along with the previously approved VantageScore 4.0, 10T could soon become a standard option.
Until now, the GSEs had required the classic FICO model, and while VantageScore 4.0 was added in mid‑2025 as an alternate, 10T had remained unused — largely because the historical data necessary for risk assessment and validation was not publicly available. The published history had factored heavily in earlier debates over whether 10T performed better than legacy scores for mortgage purposes.
With data release, market participants will be able to independently analyze how 10T scores would have fared on historical loans: comparing default rates, performance, and borrower outcomes. That transparency offers a foundation for lenders to consider offering mortgages under 10T, and for investors to evaluate the risk dynamics of backing those loans.
Many in the industry interpret the development as a sign that broader credit‑scoring reform is imminent. The combination of alternative scoring models and public data could lead to more flexibility in underwriting — potentially expanding access for borrowers with limited traditional credit history, or fluctuating credit profiles.
Still, implementation may not be immediate. The GSEs will need to complete their own internal validations, update underwriting guides and ensure risk models align with 10T’s scoring methodology. Lenders will also need to update origination systems, compliance workflows, and disclosure practices before fully switching to or offering 10T‑scored loans.
In short: the agreement to release FICO 10T’s historical datasets marks a significant shift — from closed‑door, proprietary scoring to a more transparent, data‑driven mortgage credit landscape. If executed smoothly, the result could broaden credit access, enhance risk modeling, and shake up how mortgage eligibility is assessed.
