What is VantageScore 4.0

VANTAGESCORE 4.0 IS THE LATEST TRI-BUREAU CREDIT SCORING MODEL FROM VANTAGESCORE and the first and only tri-bureau credit-scoring model to incorporate trended and alternative credit data.

Trended credit data is a type of credit data that includes historical information about a borrower's credit behavior over time, rather than static, individual credit history records that reflect only one point-in-time. By analyzing data on payment history, credit utilization, and balances over months and years, lenders are offered a more nuanced view of a borrower's credit history, enabling them to offer more competitive rates and terms to qualified borrowers.

Using trended data and alternative data (including rental, utilities and telecommunications payment histories not historically contained in traditional credit reports), VantageScore models make it possible to score more than 33 million U.S. adults who are not scored by other conventional models, which often require a consumer to have a minimum credit history in their credit file, such as six months, or an update to their credit file at least once every several months. More than 10 million of these newly scored consumers have scores of 620 and above, and thus are potentially eligible for mortgages, and other mainstream credit products. More than 3,700 institutions use VantageScore credit scores to provide consumer credit products like credit cards, auto loans, personal loans and mortgages.

For 30 years, FICO was the only score accepted by the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), creating a monopoly in the mortgage industry. But in July 2025, it was announced by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte that VantageScore was approved for interim implementation by mortgage lenders, immediately permitting choice between the Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0 for loans sold to GSEs.

Equifax supports this decision and believes that the best way to drive change in the marketplace, and to lower costs for consumers and customers, is through open competition.

To further promote credit scoring competition and support consumers and the Mortgage industry, Equifax has announced that they will offer VantageScore® 4.0 mortgage credit scores at an over 50% reduction from FICO score 2026 prices, or $4.50, through the end of 2027. Equifax will also offer free VantageScore 4.0 credit scores to all Equifax mortgage, automotive, card, and consumer finance customers who purchase FICO scores from Equifax through the end of 2026.

How Can a Consumer Check their VantageScore?

VantageScore credit scores are free to consumers and can be obtained through Equifax via myEquifax or from these VantageScore providers. To access via myEquifax, consumers must create an account and then click "Get my free credit score" to enroll in Equifax Core Credit™. Consumers will receive a free monthly Equifax credit report that includes their free VantageScore 3.0 credit score, based on Equifax data.

Consumers can learn more about how their credit scores are calculated here.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This article contains certain forward-looking information to help you understand Equifax and its business environment. All statements that address operating performance and events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to the pricing strategies, potential benefits and value propositions of product offerings of Equifax and its competitors, are forward-looking statements. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in our 2024 Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, we urge you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.