Mortgage Score News & VantageScore 4.0 Updates

The Top 30 U.S. Mortgage Lenders Adopt VantageScore 4.0

VantageScore reports — in coverage featured by National Mortgage Professional — that the 30 largest mortgage originators in the United States are now using VantageScore 4.0. The milestone marks another step in the industry’s transition toward credit-score competition following federal approval of the model for agency-backed mortgages.

The development follows recent moves by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to advance VantageScore 4.0 across the government-backed mortgage ecosystem, allowing 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, available through its direct-to-consumer channel and through the thousands of mortgage brokers partnered with Rocket Pro. The company says its model can score roughly 94% of U.S. adults — up to 33 million more consumers than competing models — by incorporating trended credit data and alternative information such as rent payments and utility bills.

For loan officers and borrowers, the article notes this could translate into more borrowers qualifying for loans, stronger pricing in select scenarios, and new opportunities for consumers who previously fell short of underwriting thresholds. Classic FICO remains an approved option, and lenders currently have a choice between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 for eligible agency loans.

Source: VantageScore Knowledge Center, featuring National Mortgage Professional — "The Top 30 U.S. Mortgage Lenders Adopt VantageScore 4.0." Reporting by Czarinna Andres. Published June 3, 2026.

CNBC Select: VantageScore 4.0 Can Now Be Used to Determine Your Mortgage Rate

CNBC Select published a consumer-focused guide explaining that mortgage lenders have historically relied on a limited set of FICO scores, but that is now changing. The article covers how FHA has expanded homebuyer eligibility by accepting VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T, and notes that VA loans also now accept VantageScore 4.0 for eligible borrowers.

The piece explains that VantageScore 4.0 may be considered "more transparent and dynamic" than older scoring models, and may consider additional data points — including certain rent, utility, and phone payment history — that traditional mortgage scores may not factor in.

For consumers looking to find their VantageScore 4.0, the article highlights Synchrony Bank-issued credit card and retail financing accounts as one of the most accessible options. It also notes that FICO 10T is available through myFICO's Advanced and Premier subscription plans.

The article cautions that score access is only part of the picture. Lender adoption, loan program eligibility, automated underwriting system requirements, and individual borrower profiles all affect whether a newer score model applies to any specific mortgage application.

Source: CNBC Select — "VantageScore 4.0 can now be used to determine your mortgage rate. Here's how to find yours." By Kelsey Neubauer. Published May 5, 2026.

Veterans Administration Accepts Home Loans Using VantageScore 4.0

VantageScore announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accepted VantageScore 4.0 credit scores in home loan applications. The announcement framed the change as a way to benefit veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.

This is an important development because VA loans serve a large population of military borrowers, and broader acceptance of newer score models may help expand mortgage credit access for some qualified applicants.

Source: VantageScore press release, "Veterans Administration Accepts Home Loans Using VantageScore 4.0, a Homeownership Accelerator for Veterans and Service Members."