Which mortgage lenders use VantageScore 4.0? Start with a broker who can shop them for you.
As of September 9, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow every approved lender to use VantageScore 4.0 on eligible conventional loans. In practice, though, only a small share of lenders actually offer it so far. Most loan officers at banks and retail lenders can only offer what their own company offers.
I'm Matthew Brown, a mortgage broker (NMLS #1254520) with Globe Mortgage, Inc. and Loan Factory, licensed in multiple states. As a broker I can compare wholesale lenders, including ones that offer VantageScore 4.0 as an option. So if your VantageScore 4.0 works better for you than your FICO score, we can look for a lender that will use it.
Allowed everywhere, offered in few places
Approval came quickly. Lender adoption is still catching up.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac opened VantageScore 4.0 to all approved single-family lenders on September 9, 2026, ending the earlier limited rollout. But in August 2026, VantageScore 4.0 was used on only about 5.6% of all loans delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and nearly all of it came from Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM).
So if you walk into your bank and ask for VantageScore 4.0, you may hear "we don't offer that yet." That doesn't mean you're out of options. It means you need to be in front of a lender that does offer it.
UWM, a wholesale lender that works through independent brokers, reported in September 2026 that about 1 in 4 borrowers in its pipeline got a more favorable credit result with VantageScore 4.0 than with Classic FICO.
Why a broker helps here
A loan officer at a single lender can only offer that lender's programs. A broker can compare pricing and score options across multiple wholesale lenders for the same borrower.
When only a few lenders offer VantageScore 4.0, being able to shop is what gets you access.
Who may benefit most from a VantageScore 4.0 lender
VantageScore 4.0 reads your credit differently from Classic FICO. For some borrowers, that difference helps.
Balances trending down
VantageScore 4.0 uses trended data, so it can reward borrowers who have been paying balances down steadily over time.
Medical collections
VantageScore 4.0 weighs medical collections less heavily than other collections.
Thin or newer credit
VantageScore 4.0 can score some consumers with limited credit history that older models may struggle with.
Whether VantageScore 4.0 helps you depends on your actual credit reports. Some borrowers score better with FICO. We check both before choosing a path.
How it works
A simple process to find out whether VantageScore 4.0 can help, and which lender to use if it can.
Share your scenario
Book a consultation or send a question. Tell me your goal (purchase or refinance), your timeline, and what scores you've been seeing.
Compare both scores
With your permission, we review your credit and see how VantageScore 4.0 and FICO compare for your file and loan program.
Match to a lender
If VantageScore 4.0 gives you a better result, I look for a wholesale lender that offers it for your loan and compare pricing.
Rules to know before you count on VantageScore 4.0
These come from how Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and lenders have implemented the option so far.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Conventional loans first | Available on eligible Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans now. FHA is scheduled for January 1, 2027. |
| One model per loan | A lender can't mix FICO and VantageScore 4.0 on the same loan. Every borrower on the loan is scored with the same model. |
| All three bureaus | Lenders currently need VantageScore 4.0 from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion on a merged credit report. |
| Automated underwriting | Manually underwritten loans still use Classic FICO. |
| Lender choice | Approval allows lenders to offer it. It doesn't require them to, so availability varies from lender to lender. |
Rules and lender offerings are changing quickly. Details reflect reporting as of September 2026 and should be confirmed for your specific loan.
Real estate agents: have a buyer whose FICO is holding them back?
Send them my way before they give up or take a worse rate.
If a buyer was told their score is too low, or their pricing isn't great, it's worth checking whether VantageScore 4.0 changes the picture. I can review the scenario and tell you quickly whether it's worth pursuing.
Ask a VantageScore mortgage question
Related guides
Find out if VantageScore 4.0 can work for you
Schedule a consultation with Matthew Brown, mortgage broker, NMLS #1254520, with Globe Mortgage, Inc. (NMLS #1380856) and Loan Factory (NMLS #320841). Licensed in multiple states. See licensed states or verify at NMLS Consumer Access. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and program guidelines.