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Your credit score just got a major makeover. Fannie Mae announced April 22, 2026 that lenders can now use VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages, with FICO 10T coming later. This could change everything about how borrowers qualify for loans and what rates they pay.
🔥 Quick Facts
- VantageScore 4.0: Now available through limited rollout to approved lenders effective immediately starting April 22, 2026
- FICO 10T: Will be available at a later date, with historical data published in summer 2026
- New Data Points: Both models can include rent and utility payments in credit calculations
- Broader Availability: Limited rollout ensures operational readiness before wider implementation nationwide
VantageScore 4.0 Now Live for Mortgage Lenders
Approved lenders can immediately start using VantageScore 4.0 through tri-merge credit reports for originating and delivering new loans to Fannie Mae. The shift represents a landmark moment in credit score modernization that had been validated back in 2022. Jake Williamson, Executive Vice President and Head of Single-Family at Fannie Mae, stated that credit score modernization advances a more competitive and innovative housing finance system.
Lenders not yet approved for the limited rollout must continue using Classic FICO scores until VantageScore 4.0 becomes broadly available. Interested lenders can submit applications online or contact their Fannie Mae representative to join the approved rollout group.
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Credit score changes: Fannie Mae adopts VantageScore 4.0 now, FICO 10T coming later
FICO 10T Coming Soon with Enhanced Predictions
FICO 10T will be available for use at a later date, supporting the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s ongoing credit score modernization initiative. Fannie Mae will publish historical credit score data for FICO 10T covering loans acquired between April 2013 and September 2025, giving lenders crucial insights before full implementation. FICO promoted the 10T model as the most predictive credit score available, though some research questions those claims compared to VantageScore 4.0.
The dual pathway allows lenders to evaluate both models and choose which fits their business needs best. Federal Housing Administration and Freddie Mac are also implementing these new scores in coordination with Fannie Mae.
Rent and Utility Payments Now Count Toward Your Score
The most revolutionary aspect is that on-time rent payments and utility payments can now boost credit scores using these newer models. Millions of renters have paid thousands in housing costs that were never reported to credit bureaus. VantageScore 4.0 research shows it could help approximately 33 million more consumers qualify for credit than FICO 10T alone. This expanded view of creditworthiness provides a more complete picture of borrower behavior and reliability.
| Credit Model | Availability | Key Feature |
| VantageScore 4.0 | Available now (limited rollout) | Includes rent and utility data |
| FICO 10T | Coming later in 2026 | Advanced predictive model |
| Classic FICO | Still in use now | Traditional credit data only |
“Credit score model modernization is an important step toward a more competitive, innovative, and resilient housing finance system. By incorporating newer models with more predictive power, we can support sustainable access to homeownership and keep safety, soundness, and operational readiness at the center.”
— Jake Williamson, Executive Vice President and Head of Single-Family, Fannie Mae
What This Means for Borrowers and Lenders
Borrowers with strong rental histories but thin credit files finally have a path to qualification. Historical data between April 2023 and September 2025 will be published for VantageScore 4.0, allowing lenders to analyze performance trends. Competition and innovation emerge as secondary beneficiaries, potentially lowering lending costs industry-wide. Summer 2026 publication of comprehensive historical data will show exactly how these models performed across millions of loans.
Lenders face important decisions about which model to adopt during the transition. Some will maintain Classic FICO systems while testing newer models in parallel. Others will aggressively migrate to capture competitive advantages through faster approval times and expanded borrower pools using VantageScore 4.0.
Will These Credit Score Changes Help You Get a Mortgage?
If you pay rent consistently and manage utility bills responsibly, these changes could significantly improve your borrowing power. Approved lenders using VantageScore 4.0 may extend credit to borrowers previously rejected by Classic FICO standards. However, broader availability remains limited during this rollout phase, so your local lender may not yet offer these new scoring options.
The mortgage market impact could be substantial when FICO 10T launches alongside expanded VantageScore 4.0 adoption. Consumer advocates say Fannie Mae‘s measured approach ensures operational readiness without destabilizing the housing finance system. Keep monitoring announcements from your lender about when they’ll start using these new credit score models.
Sources
- Fannie Mae – Announced VantageScore 4.0 availability effective April 22, 2026 through limited rollout to approved lenders
- FHFA – Federal Housing Finance Agency coordinating credit score modernization across Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA
- VantageScore – Research showing VantageScore 4.0 can score 33 million more consumers than FICO 10T
