What are the two main credit scoring models?
The best credit scoring model depends on the lender and borrower's needs. FICO and VantageScore are the most commonly used in the US, based on factors such as payment history, credit utilization, and credit inquiries. However, credit scoring models are only one factor in credit decisions.
Two of the biggest companies when it comes to credit scoring models are Fair Isaac Corporation, or FICO, and VantageScore. VantageScore is the result of a collaboration between the three nationwide credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
VantageScore and FICO are two of the most commonly used credit scores. But they're not the only ones. Some lenders have their own custom credit-scoring models that they use to make credit decisions, according to the CFPB.
Credit scoring models are statistical analyses used by credit bureaus that evaluate your worthiness to receive credit. The agencies select statistical characteristics found in a person's credit payment patterns, analyze them and come up with a credit score.
Your credit score is calculated based on the activity on your credit reports, provided by the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The two most widely used types of credit scores are FICO Score and VantageScore.
Which credit score will a lender check when you apply for a loan? Although VantageScore credit scores have been around for about 15 years, the FICO Score is still the preferred choice of most lenders. In the U.S., lenders use FICO Scores in 90% of lending decisions.
FICO scores are the most widely used credit scores in the U.S. for consumer lending decisions. There are multiple FICO credit scoring models, each of which uses slightly different criteria.
Today there are at least 16 versions, or models, of the FICO® Score, which is used by 90% of top lenders.
The score models can be divided into three major types: FICO, VantageScore and other credit scores.
Simply put, there is no “more accurate” score when it comes down to receiving your score from the major credit bureaus.
Why are there different credit score models?
Credit scoring models can weigh certain information in your reports more heavily than other credit score factors. For example, one scoring model may put more emphasis on total credit usage than others. Because there are varied scoring models, you'll likely have different scores from different providers.
FICO is the industry standard for credit scoring but some lenders, especially credit card companies, rely on VantageScore, another model. Both set score ranges from 300 to 850 and rank payment history as the most important factor in determining your score.
What are two types of Consumer Credit? Closed End, and Open End Credit. Examples of Open End Credit? Credit cards, department store cards, and bank credit cards.
What credit score do auto lenders look at? The three major credit bureaus are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. The two big credit scoring models used by auto lenders are FICO® Auto Score and Vantage. We're going to take at look at FICO® since it has long been the auto industry standard.
For the majority of lending decisions most lenders use your FICO score. Calculated by the data analytics company Fair Isaac Corporation, it's based on data from credit reports about your payment history, credit mix, length of credit history and other criteria.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
- Experian: FICO Score 2, or Fair Isaac Risk Model v2.
- Equifax: FICO Score 5, or Equifax Beacon 5.
- TransUnion: FICO Score 4, or TransUnion FICO Risk Score 04.
FAQs on Credit Scoring Models
FICO and VantageScore are the most commonly used in the US, based on factors such as payment history, credit utilization, and credit inquiries. However, credit scoring models are only one factor in credit decisions.
They use the traditional 300 to 850 score range. FICO® Score 2 is the "classic" FICO® Score version available from Experian. FICO® Score 4 is the version of the classic FICO® Score offered by TransUnion. FICO® Score 5 is the Equifax version of the "classic" FICO® Score.
FICO and VantageScore have different minimum requirements to get a credit score. FICO and VantageScore have different criteria for who can get a credit score. VantageScore has fewer, or lower, minimum requirements by comparison, because it was designed to help previously unscorable consumers qualify for credit scores.
How accurate is VantageScore?
VantageScore 3.0 is available at all three of the nationwide credit reporting companies, making it a reliable and consistent option. Six main categories go into calculating your VantageScore: payment history, credit utilization, age and type of credit history, the amount you owe, and recent credit behavior.
A VantageScore is a credit score that is a competitor to FICO. It is used by lenders and landlords. Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies.
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714.
The commonly used FICO® Scores for mortgage lending are: FICO® Score 2, or Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model v2. FICO® Score 5, or Equifax Beacon 5. FICO® Score 4, or TransUnion FICO® Risk Score 04.
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.
References
- https://lanterncredit.com/auto-loans/which-credit-score-is-used
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/900-credit-score
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/which-credit-score-is-most-accurate/
- https://www.pacificdebt.com/why-your-equifax-credit-score-is-lower-than-transunion
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/credit-intel/fico-score-8/
- https://stellarfi.com/answer/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-300k-house
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-buy-a-house/
- https://www.myfico.com/Credit-Education/Questions/why-are-my-credit-scores-different-for-3-credit-bureaus
- https://www.debt.org/credit/report/scoring-models/
- https://quizlet.com/165356488/credit-scores-flash-cards/
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/credit/different-types-of-credit-scores/
- https://www.ficoscore.com/about
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/what-is-a-fico-score
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cs/what-percentage-of-population-has-over-800-credit-score-2140839387/
- https://www.smartsheet.com/content/project-scoring
- https://lendedu.com/blog/accurate-credit-karma/
- https://www.bajajfinserv.in/check-free-cibil-score
- https://tradelinesupply.com/vantagescore-vs-fico/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/credit-score-ranges-and-what-they-mean
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/fico-score-versions/
- https://www.highradius.com/resources/Blog/credit-scoring-models-types-and-examples/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-a-good-credit-score
- https://www.credit.com/blog/what-types-of-credit-scores-are-there/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/most-accurate-score
- https://www.investopedia.com/which-fico-scores-do-lenders-use-5116055
- https://www.investopedia.com/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-car-5181034
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/what-is-line-of-credit
- https://moneyview.in/cibil-score/which-credit-score-do-banks-use-in-india
- https://www.mathworks.com/discovery/credit-scoring-model.html
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/which-credit-score-is-most-important/
- https://www.self.inc/blog/fico-vs-vantagescore
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/actions-that-can-lower-your-credit-score/
- https://www.proctorhonda.com/auto-loan-qualification-credit-score-vehicle-interest-rate/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/which-credit-score-used-when-applying-for-mortgage/
- https://wallethub.com/credit-score-range/704-credit-score
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/which-credit-scores-do-mortgage-lenders-use/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/this-is-the-most-important-factor-that-determines-your-credit-score/
- https://www.scura.com/blog/understanding-fico-creditwise-credit-scores-for-bankruptcy
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/credit-score-simulator/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/02/average-credit-score-by-age-in-the-us.html
- https://www.dinmo.com/customer-segmentation/customer-scoring/
- https://thepointsguy.com/guide/understanding-credit-scores-different/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/score-basics/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/how-to-find-my-true-score
- https://www.credit.com/blog/which-credit-score-is-most-accurate/
- https://www.self.inc/blog/fico-9
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/fico-score-vs-credit-score
- https://quizlet.com/175095564/unit-3-flash-cards/
- https://fortune.com/recommends/credit-cards/fico-vs-vantagescore/
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/benefits-of-knowing-vantagescore/
- https://pyramidcreditrepair.com/how-reliable-and-accurate-is-the-creditwise-credit-score/
- https://www.investopedia.com/fico-credit-scores-explained-5072985
- https://quizlet.com/22714999/consumer-credit-chapter-6-flash-cards/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/which-credit-score-do-mortgage-lenders-use/
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
- https://www.mortgageretirementprofessor.com/A%20-%20Early%20Payoff/Pay%20off%20home%20loan%20or%20car%20loan.htm
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/credit-bureau-differences
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/difference-between-credit-score-and-fico-score
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/fico-score-8/
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/how-to-improve-credit-score/
- https://www.rocketloans.com/learn/financial-smarts/transunion-vs-equifax
- https://www.usa.gov/credit-reports
- https://wallethub.com/best-credit-score-site
- https://www.transunion.com/blog/credit-advice/why-do-i-have-different-credit-scores
- https://www.rocketloans.com/learn/personal-loan-basics/what-is-a-good-credit-score-to-buy-a-car
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-house
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/credit-intel/credit-score-by-age-state/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/vantagescore-fico-score-the-difference
- https://quizlet.com/39210644/fico-score-flash-cards/
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/three-cs-of-credit-character-capital-capacity.html
- https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-repair/what-are-the-different-types-of-credit-scores/
- https://www.cainmortgageteam.com/what-is-a-good-transunion-credit-score/
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-scores/whats-not-in-your-credit-score
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/fico-score
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/buying-a-house-700-credit-score/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/040115/what-most-important-c-five-cs-credit.asp
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-makes-up-credit-score
- https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/top-three-credit-bureaus/
- https://www.apartmentlist.com/renter-life/credit-score-needed-to-rent-apartment
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/difference-between-fico-scores-vantagescore/
- https://www.creditrepair.com/blog/mortgage-and-housing-information/buy-home-california/
- https://www.investopedia.com/average-credit-scores-by-age-5214511
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/credit-loans-mortgages/081416/fico-5-vs-fico-8-what-are-differences.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/05/creditscorecalculation.asp
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-many-points-does-an-inquiry-drop-your-credit-score/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-fico-score/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-car/
- https://www.upstart.com/credit-score/723-credit-score
- http://www.nfitfiji.com/personal-finances/the-three-cs-of-credit/
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/improve-your-credit-score
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/what-is-a-bad-credit-score/
- https://www.capitalone.com/creditwise/faqs/
- https://www.banks.com/articles/credit/credit-score/creditwise-vs-experian/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-score/fico-vs-vantagescore-credit-scores-whats-the-difference/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-credit-score
- https://www.quora.com/How-far-off-is-credit-wise
- https://quizlet.com/86333623/credit-and-credit-reports-flash-cards/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/vantagescore-vs-fico
- https://www.investopedia.com/fico-10-and-fico-10t-5072531
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/understanding-types-of-credit-scores/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/credit-score-fall-after-paying-loan/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/credit_scoring.asp