Credit score report costs for mortgage lenders have already climbed by as a lot as 50% in 2026, resellers mentioned.
The strikes come amid heightened competitors amongst credit score scoring suppliers after the Federal Housing Finance Company (FHFA) allowed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to start buying loans underwritten with VantageScore 4.0, providing a substitute for the long-dominant Traditional FICO rating.
One other change is a nationwide ban on abusive set off leads that’s set to take impact this week. Prescreened credit score reviews are a product offered by the credit score bureaus, primarily Experian.
The three main bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – didn’t reply to HousingWire‘s requests for feedback. There’s nonetheless some confusion on how the laws will work in follow, these sources added.
An Experian spokesperson informed HousingWire that the corporate lately communicated to mortgage companions “a brand new strategic pricing construction,” which can present “further Experian worth added providers and keep present pricing.”
“The pricing construction is designed to carry a broader set of capabilities throughout the lending lifecycle to our companions, and we’re actively working with them to implement. Any exterior view of impression shouldn’t be primarily based on this engagement or knowledgeable by us,” the spokesperson mentioned.
In line with the spokesperson, Experian lowered the worth of a standalone VantageScore 4.0 rating to one-third the worth of a FICO rating for 2026 — in comparison with about 50% beforehand — whereas VantageScore 4.0 continues to be free in 2026 when bundled with legacy scores.
These actions have been taken to “speed up rating competitors by means of VantageScore adoption,” which is the “greatest and most accountable solution to result in significant financial savings to the trade,” the spokesperson added.
However the discount to the VantageScore worth got here with “pricing changes to credit score reviews,” which will be “offset by strategic partnership commitments,” the corporate mentioned final week in a letter despatched to shoppers that was reviewed by HousingWire. The adjustments will happen in April.
In October, Experian introduced it might provide VantageScore 4.0 freed from cost to mortgage shoppers. The transfer adopted related choices by Equifax and TransUnion, which, together with Experian, collectively personal VantageScore.
Resellers argue that the newest enhance by Experian disproportionately impacts mortgage lenders as a result of they’re required to drag credit score reviews from all three bureaus.
“On the buyer aspect, you solely have to drag one bureau. However in mortgage, we’re required to drag all three. That’s why they’re placing it on the housing aspect. This enhance lies solely on the ft of Experian,” the reseller government mentioned.
In line with resellers, the newest change might drive them to renegotiate agreements with lenders simply months after annual contracts have been signed. In some instances, contracts prohibit further will increase inside 12 months, which means the added prices could also be absorbed by resellers and squeeze margins.
“We’re working by means of this thoughtfully and with full consciousness of the broader market surroundings,” Leonard mentioned. “Our dedication stays the identical: to help our shoppers with transparency, stability, and a disciplined method to managing change.”
The Experian spokesperson added that the corporate’s “dedication to transparency in mortgage credit score reporting pricing stays unchanged, and we stay centered on delivering correct, safe and dependable information that helps lenders make sound choices and customers entry credit score responsibly.”
