FICO Expands Mortgage Direct License Program With Additions Of Cotality & Ascend Companies

FICO has revealed that it has expanded its FICO Mortgage Direct License Program by welcoming two new participants — Cotality and Ascend Companies, the parent organization of Advantage Credit Inc. and Partners Credit & Verification Solutions — to the initiative. 

The program, designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in credit score delivery, allows participating tri-merge resellers such as Cotality Credco and Advantage Credit to generate and deliver FICO Scores directly to mortgage lenders, bypassing the traditional reliance on credit bureaus. By doing so, FICO aims to streamline operational workflows, introduce more flexible pricing models, and help lenders reduce costs while preserving compliance and the integrity of credit decisioning. 

“We’ve listened to our thousands of unique mortgage industry clients and it’s clear they value flexibility and market competition when it comes to fulfilling their credit data mandates,” said Blake Matheson, CEO of Ascend Companies. 

As the direct license model continues to gain traction, FICO indicated that additional updates will be provided once the solution becomes commercially available through its growing network of resellers. This expansion not only demonstrates FICO’s commitment to modernizing core infrastructure in mortgage origination but also reflects a broader industry trend toward greater competition and operational transparency. 

“Interest in the FICO Mortgage Direct License Program continues to grow as lenders seek more cost efficient, transparent solutions,” said Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B Scores at FICO. “The addition of Cotality and Ascend Companies to the list of resellers providing FICO Scores is another important step forward in making direct delivery the new standard for the mortgage industry.”