FHFA Directs GSEs to Approve VantageScore Immediately, Sending FICO Stock Down 17%
NewsData.io · United States · Sep 8, 2026
FHFA Director Bill Pulte ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to immediately approve all mortgage lenders to use VantageScore as an alternative to FICO, triggering a 17% drop in Fair Isaac's stock and over 6% declines in TransUnion and Equifax shares. The move builds on the 2018 Credit Score Competition Act and is framed as a cost-reduction measure — VantageScore runs roughly $1 per pull versus FICO's $10-plus. On the labor market side, August payrolls came in well above expectations at 162,000 versus a 55,000 forecast, though wage growth slowed to 3.1% year-over-year, the softest pace since May 2021. Consumer Direct lending channels are reportedly scaling back headcount as volume expectations remain muted amid elevated interest rates.
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