Pulte orders Fannie and Freddie to approve VantageScore for all lenders, ending FICO monopoly

 

• FHFA Director Bill Pulte announced effective immediately all lenders can use rival VantageScore for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages.
• Pulte explicitly declared on X: "FICO has enjoyed a monopoly. No more." citing 1,800% price hikes since 2020.
• Mortgage scoring generates majority of FICO's high-margin Scores segment revenue, making this a direct threat.
• Announcement on Sept 3 triggered sharp pre-market reaction with FICO down ~5-9% from prior close near $1,119.
• Builds on prior 2026 moves introducing VantageScore competition that previously caused double-digit drops.
• Pulte also criticized VantageScore owners (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) but prioritized ending FICO dominance.

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