VantageScore says the 30 largest mortgage originators in the United States are now using VantageScore 4.0, marking another major milestone in the industry's transition toward credit-score competition following federal approval of the model for agency-backed mortgages.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) advanced implementation of VantageScore 4.0 across the government-backed mortgage ecosystem, opening the door for lenders to use the model in place of legacy credit-scoring requirements.
VantageScore highlighted Rocket Mortgage, as one of the top lenders now offering VantageScore 4.0 to borrowers. The company said the score is available through Rocket's direct-to-consumer channel and through the thousands of mortgage brokers partnered with Rocket Pro.
"Rocket is relentless in our mission to help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership," said Bill Banfield, chief business officer of Rocket Companies. "By integrating VantageScore 4.0 into our direct-to-consumer and Rocket Pro processes, we're opening the door to millions of aspiring homeowners."
According to VantageScore, adoption among the nation's largest lenders has accelerated since FHFA Director Bill Pulte pushed forward implementation of the 2018 Credit Score Competition Act. The company said the industry's biggest originators now have access to a model that incorporates trended credit data and can score consumers who may be overlooked by traditional mortgage scoring methods.
The milestone represents more than a technology rollout. It signals a fundamental shift in the mortgage industry, which has relied almost exclusively on FICO-based scoring for decades.
Competition Moves From Policy To Adoption
In July 2025, FHFA approved the use of VantageScore 4.0 on loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ending the long-standing requirement that lenders rely on a single scoring ecosystem. At the time, VantageScore President and CEO Silvio Tavares said the decision would "revolutionize the American mortgage market" and help millions of additional consumers qualify for homeownership.
The transition accelerated in April when FHFA announced immediate acceptance of VantageScore-scored loans, and FHA followed with plans to allow the model for government-insured mortgages.
Since then, lenders, credit bureaus, and investors have increasingly treated VantageScore adoption as an operational reality rather than a future possibility.
Freddie Mac formally began accepting VantageScore 4.0 loans in May, while Fannie Mae launched its rollout through updated selling-guide requirements and lender participation programs.
What It Means
VantageScore says its model can generate credit scores for approximately 94% of U.S. adults, up to 33 million more consumers than competing models. The company says VantageScore 4.0 incorporates trended credit data and alternative credit information, including rent payments and utility bills, to provide a broader view of consumer creditworthiness.
"Today's consumers deserve a credit score that reflects the full picture of their financial behavior, leveraging more data, including rental data and trended data," said Tony Hutchinson, executive vice president and head of public affairs at VantageScore. "Rocket's adoption of VantageScore 4.0 demonstrates industry leadership and a commitment to using innovative, data-driven solutions that responsibly broaden access to mortgage financing."
In a separate May announcement, VantageScore said lenders, including United Wholesale Mortgage and Newrez, reported improved eligibility, pricing opportunities, and approvals for certain borrowers after implementing the score.
For LOs, that could translate into more borrowers qualifying for loans, stronger pricing in select scenarios, and additional opportunities among consumers who previously fell short of underwriting thresholds.
The development also continues to reshape the economics of mortgage credit reporting. Much of the industry's push for score competition has centered on concerns about credit-report costs and the lack of alternatives to traditional mortgage scoring. Analysts have noted that the introduction of VantageScore creates competitive pressure throughout the credit-scoring market.
The Bigger Picture
Classic FICO remains an approved option for loans sold to the enterprises, and FICO 10T is still expected to be incorporated into the modernized framework in the future. Lenders currently have a choice between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 for eligible agency loans.
Still, the fact that the nation's 30 largest mortgage originators are now using VantageScore 4.0 suggests the industry is moving faster than many expected following the FHFA's April implementation announcement.
*This article was primarily written by a human author. AI tools were used in a limited capacity for research assistance or light editing.
