Credit scores are shifting in 2026 as major lenders adopt new scoring models that look at borrowers’ payment patterns over time rather than a single snapshot. The Federal Housing Finance Agency approved two new models—FICO Score 10T and VantageScore 4.0—on April 22, 2026, marking a significant modernization of how credit is evaluated.
More lenders are adopting FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0, which use trended data to review up to 24 months of payment and balance history, according to Create Credit Union. This shift means lenders can now see how borrowers manage credit over time, rewarding consistent balance management rather than relying on a single moment in time.
The new scoring models also incorporate alternative data sources that traditional credit scores ignore. Trended data looks at 24 months of consumer debt, payment behavior, and credit utilization, showing how consumers manage their debt over time, according to America’s Credit Unions. Some models may also include rent, utility, and telecom payments, creating opportunities for borrowers with thin credit files to build stronger profiles without relying solely on credit cards or loans.
Government and Enterprise Adoption
On April 22, 2026, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that lenders will be able to use the VantageScore 4.0 model or the FICO 10T model. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that buy the majority of mortgages in the U.S., began accepting loans scored with these new models. Fannie Mae published historical FICO 10T scores on July 1, 2026, alongside additional VantageScore 4.0 data for loans acquired between April 2023 and September 2025, according to Fannie Mae’s official announcement.
The Federal Housing Administration also approved both VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T as eligible credit scoring models for FHA-insured mortgage underwriting, according to America’s Credit Unions. Major mortgage lenders rapidly adopted VantageScore 4.0 following the government approval, with some lenders implementing the model by mid-2026.
What This Means for Borrowers
As lenders transition to newer scoring systems, credit scores may fluctuate depending on which model a lender uses. One lender may use FICO 10T for an auto loan, while another relies on an older model for credit cards, according to Create Credit Union. It is also normal for credit scores to vary slightly between Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, since each bureau may receive updated information at different times.
For borrowers with limited credit history, the inclusion of rent and utility payments offers a new pathway to build credit. However, missed or late utility payments could now appear in credit reports in ways they may not have before. Keeping credit utilization low throughout the month—not just on statement closing dates—is important under these new systems, as trended data now rewards consistent balance management more than carrying debt over time, according to Create Credit Union.
Sources
- Create Credit Union — Detailed explanation of FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 adoption, trended data mechanics, and impact on credit scores
- FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) — Official announcement of April 22, 2026, approving FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 models
- Fannie Mae — Confirmation of credit score model updates and July 1, 2026, publication of historical FICO 10T scores
- America’s Credit Unions — Definition of trended data and FHA approval of new scoring models
