All posts by Michael Delgado
Every American deserves a fair shot at homeownership and high-quality data makes it happen. That’s why, as of today, Experian will provide free access to VantageScore 4.0 indefinitely. We’ve championed the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Director Pulte’s decision to approve modern scores and support their call to uncover creative ways to make the credit scoring industry more competitive and mortgages more affordable for Americans. Today, we’re responding to Director Pulte’s call with this exciting step forward. By giving our clients the resources and flexibility to evaluate the benefits of modern scoring in real workflows, we can make homeownership more accessible to more people, in more places, more of the time. This is about accelerating score choice in a responsible, transparent way so lenders can test and learn, and more consumers can be seen for the full picture of their financial behavior. Total transparency. Total utility. Flexible. Secure. Reliable. To deliver this, we’re proud to introduce the Experian Score Choice Bundle, a first-of-its-kind credit scoring solution for the mortgage market. The bundle provides lenders with both VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 2 on every transaction, offering the freedom to choose the score that best fits their needs. The result: reduced costs for lenders, expanded access to credit, and a clearer path to homeownership for millions of consumers. When you buy from Experian, here’s exactly what you’ll pay: Credit Profile: One fee for the credit profile with trended data Data for Score Processing: One fee for data used to process both scores: VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 2 3rd Party Support: A fee to account for additional risk and operational complexity associated with third-party processing (if applicable) Score Algorithm Licensing: Any royalty charged by the score algorithm providers (if applicable) This is what lenders pay for today, but with added transparency. We’ve separated our Data for Score Processing fee from Score Algorithm Licensing fee, so lenders know exactly who they’re paying and for what. Lenders will now receive both scores on every transaction, allowing them to: Evaluate VantageScore 4.0 against new GSE LLPA guidelines Fund loans that qualify with VantageScore 4.0 that may not have qualified otherwise Pass both scores to the secondary market for evaluation against real lending decisions and evolving GSE standards The Experian Score Choice Bundle builds on what has always set Experian apart - the quality, accuracy, and depth of our data, supported by the technology and infrastructure that make it all possible. Our trusted data powers the mortgage ecosystem, giving lenders the confidence to make informed, responsible decisions while helping consumers build stronger financial futures. For decades, we’ve invested in the integrity, predictiveness, and security of our data and in the systems, compliance frameworks, and technology that deliver millions of credit reports and scores securely, consistently, and in real-time. This same infrastructure also supports consumers directly - helping them understand their credit, resolve questions, and take control of their financial health. Together, these investments ensure the mortgage market remains stable, transparent, and trusted. To accelerate score choice adoption, VantageScore 4.0 is available within Experian’s award-winning Ascend Analytical Sandbox, enabling lenders, resellers, and other market participants to model, test, and analyze score performance. Lenders can also enhance decisioning with Experian’s Cashflow Score and Cashflow Attributes, which provide deeper insights into borrower financial behavior (such as income, expenses, and cash reserves) to better serve consumers with limited or emerging credit histories. Experian’s commitment to innovation that fuels competition and expands access to credit is unwavering. From VantageScore to our award-winning Experian Verify and Power Profile Plus solutions, we’re transforming how lenders evaluate consumers and make confident, informed credit decisions. At the same time, we’re empowering millions of consumers directly through Experian Boost, which helps expand credit histories by adding positive cell phone, utility, insurance, and rent payments, and Experian RentBureau, the nation’s largest database of rental payment history. Together, these innovations give lenders a more complete view of financial behavior and open the door to affordable credit and sustainable homeownership for more consumers. Ultimately, this is about greater choice, lower costs, and broader access - helping lenders serve more borrowers and creating a mortgage market that works better for everyone.
Experian is a cornerstone of the U.S. housing finance system, empowering millions of consumers to achieve the dream of homeownership and enabling lenders to make safe, sound, and inclusive credit decisions. At the heart of every credit score is data - and there is no FICO score without credit bureau data. Our information powers the accuracy, reliability, and fairness of scores across the market. FICO is now proposing an aggressive strategy to restructure distribution in order to push through an unprecedented price increase for its own benefit. The new direct licensing model introduces unnecessary technological, operational, and regulatory complexity for lenders and other market participants - complexity that ultimately increases costs and risks for the housing ecosystem. On pricing, the math speaks for itself. FICO has now more than doubled its fee from $4.95 to $10, and it’s an even worse increase under the proposal for a $33 closing fee. Make no mistake, this will place an even greater financial burden on the industry, that will inevitably be passed to consumers. Experian has long supported the industry’s evolution toward more modern, inclusive, and efficient credit solutions. We have a track record of partnering with lenders, agencies, and regulators to ensure innovation strengthens - not hinders - the system. FICO’s actions only underscore the need for alternatives that deliver value, not additional burden. As a result, we are committed to accelerating the adoption of VantageScore - an innovative, proven, and cost-effective solution that better serves both lenders and consumers. We remain confident in our position, our client partnerships, and our ability to deliver solutions that balance affordability, fairness, and accuracy. Experian will continue to work with the industry to drive innovation, empower consumers, and strengthen the housing finance system for the future.
Experian has earned a top-tier position at 6th place in the 2025 IDC FinTech Rankings of the Top 100 companies, moving up one spot from last year and securing a place in the global top 10 for the fourth year in a row. This achievement reflects the trust our customers place in us and the impact of the innovation we deliver every day. Around the world, financial institutions rely on the Experian Ascend Platform™ to power faster decisions, reduce risk, and accelerate time to market. From AI-driven analytics to fraud prevention, Ascend provides trusted AI solutions that replace manual processes with automation and create smarter, more transparent financial experiences. One recent example is the Experian Assistant for Model Risk Management, fully integrated with Ascend. This solution empowers teams to govern and manage models across their entire lifecycle, accelerating validation, improving auditability, and reducing both regulatory and reputational risk. For customers, that means less time spent on compliance and more time dedicated to serving people. Achieving a higher position in the IDC FinTech Rankings underscores our role as a global leader in trusted AI and advanced analytics. Most importantly, it reaffirms our commitment to helping organizations unlock the power of data and technology to drive meaningful changes in the financial ecosystem.
Experian is all about turning insights into action... using data for good.
Our commitment is to work with our clients, consumers, non-profits and other parties to help ensure that we, as a company and within society, continue to properly leverage big data for good.
As part of that effort, every other week we bring you Experian Insights – a round-up of news and resources highlighting how data is used for positive business, consumer and societal actions in many ways and across multiple sectors.
Experian is all about turning insights into action... using data for good.
Our commitment is to work with our clients, consumers, non-profits and other parties to help ensure that we, as a company and within society, continue to properly leverage big data for good.
As part of that effort, every other week we bring you Experian Insights – a round-up of news and resources highlighting how data is used for positive business, consumer and societal actions in many ways and across multiple sectors.
Experian Insights in the News
Marketing: A Primary Breeding Ground for Big Data Innovation - AdExchanger Companies that use data to put the consumer at the center of their innovations win in the digital economy. [ReTweet]
Experian is all about turning insights into action... using data for good.
Our commitment is to work with our clients, consumers, non-profits and other parties to help ensure that we, as a company and within society, continue to properly leverage big data for good.
As part of that effort, each week we bring you Experian Insights – a round-up of news and resources highlighting how data is used for positive business, consumer and societal actions in many ways and across multiple sectors.
Experian is all about turning insights into action... using data for good. Our commitment is to work with our clients, consumers, non-profits and other parties to help ensure that we, as a company and within society, continue to properly leverage big data for good. As part of that effort, each week we bring you Experian Insights – a round-up of news and resources highlighting how data is used for positive business, consumer and societal actions in many ways and across multiple sectors. Experian Insights in the News The One Thing That Could Instantly Make Your Credit Score Better - Time If both rent and utilities were part of credit scores as many as 54 million people (who are essentially invisible today) would be able to participate in mainstream finance. [Tweet] Five Minutes with Matt Seeley, EMS Group President - The Hub We're working with numerous clients to help guide their organization's data management strategy, putting insights into action to create improved and more meaningful customer interactions. [Tweet] Small Business Insights Drive Action for the Good of the Economy - Experian Blog Small businesses rounded out 2014 performing at a very high level, especially in terms of credit health. [Tweet] Agencies Navigate the Identity-Based Security Ecosystem - GCN Identity systems have become the top priority for organizations looking to safeguard government data from attackers. [Tweet] Experian's Newest CMO Aims to Focus on Consumers - AdAge.com Kristen Simmons will lead strategic direction, development and execution of marketing for Experian consumer services in North America. [Tweet] How Millions of Consumers Could Get Credit for Paying Their Utilities on Time - Experian Blog Study analyzed the financial benefits for consumers by adding positive, monthly utility or rental payments to credit reports. [Tweet] Jump-Starting Car Sales from the Service Lane - Automotive News Automotive News reports how VehicleXchange works with Experian to help car dealers find credit-worthy customers. [Tweet] 5 Tools for Improved Identity Management - GCN Government agencies will have to rely on improving existing technology solutions to help manage their ongoing security threats. [Tweet] Acting on Insights to Create Value for Marketers and Their Customers - Experian Blog Learn how successful businesses are drawing meaningful insights from data to impact almost every aspect of business operations. [Tweet]
Have you heard of #CreditChat? #CreditChat is an online discussion that happens on Twitter and YouTube every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. It's an educational and fun hour when we discuss credit and money issues with consumers, personal finance writers, academics, and financial organizations.
How does Experian use data to help people get a firmer steer on their financial lives? In this film, our Experian CreditExpert customer Claire Barron tells us how we helped her get back on her feet, and we look at what’s next for our Consumer Services business.