Credit scoring models are undergoing a significant shift in 2026, with lenders increasingly adopting newer systems that use trended data and alternative payment information to evaluate borrower creditworthiness. More than 70 mortgage lenders have committed to using FICO Score 10T, according to a July 28, 2026 announcement from FICO, marking accelerating adoption across the lending industry.
Trended data represents a fundamental change in how credit is assessed. Instead of taking a single snapshot of a borrower’s credit at one moment in time, newer models like FICO Score 10T and VantageScore 4.0 now review up to 24 months of payment and balance history. This allows lenders to see patterns in how borrowers manage credit over time, rather than relying on a static view of their financial obligations.
FICO Score 10T incorporates both trended credit bureau data and rental payment history to deliver a more comprehensive view of consumer credit behavior, according to FICO. The performance gains are substantial: compared to earlier models, FICO Score 10T can enable up to 5% more approvals at the same risk level, or achieve up to a 17% reduction in delinquencies at the same approval rate, FICO reported.
The shift extends beyond traditional credit metrics. Alternative data sources—including rent payments, utility bills, telecom payments, and bank account activity—are now being integrated into credit decisions. For borrowers with limited or thin credit histories, these alternative payment signals offer a path to building credit without relying solely on credit cards or loans. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published guidance on how alternative data is used in underwriting decisions, and the trend is moving toward broader adoption across the lending industry, according to Avant.
Lenders adopting FICO Score 10T are receiving the new scores at no additional cost through a dual-processing model that runs alongside their existing Classic FICO Score. This free access has lowered barriers to adoption. Among recent adopters are Fairway Home Mortgage, InterLinc Mortgage Services, Lower Mortgage, NFM Lending, Novus Home Mortgage, Plaza Home Mortgage, and Village Capital & Investment, collectively representing $586 billion in annual originations and $1.865 trillion in servicing portfolios.
The market for alternative credit scoring is expanding rapidly. The alternative credit scoring market was valued at $4.22 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $11.07 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 21.27%, according to Mordor Intelligence.
For consumers, the changes mean credit scores may shift even when financial habits remain unchanged, since different lenders may use different scoring models. Rent and utility reporting can now strengthen credit profiles for those with limited traditional credit history, but missed or late payments in these categories may also be tracked in ways they weren’t before. Experts recommend keeping credit utilization low throughout the month rather than just at statement closing, since trended data now rewards consistent balance management over time.
Sources
- FICO — FICO Score 10T adoption milestone and performance metrics (July 28, 2026)
- Avant — Credit scoring landscape in 2026, CFPB guidance on alternative data, trended data methodology (July 9, 2026)
- Create Credit Union — Trended data definition, VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T adoption, rent and utility reporting impact (June 18, 2026)
- Bridgeforce — Alternative credit data types and lender implementation strategies (July 15, 2026)
- Mordor Intelligence — Alternative credit scoring market size and growth projections (July 30, 2026)
