October 2, 2025
CDIA Statement Regarding Changes in FICO Pricing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – While the Direct License Program announced by FICO is positioned as a cost-cutting measure, it is simply not true. In reality, it is another price increase by FICO. With this announcement, FICO has at least doubled its publicly disclosed prices year-over-year while introducing operational costs and risks to resellers and lenders. FICO’s pricing proposal will also inevitably cause lenders to pass on significantly higher costs to consumers.
FICO is also ignoring the reality that comprehensive data is the foundation of powerful and predictive credit scores and the safe and sound functioning of the U.S. mortgage market.
This new pricing scheme validates the need for a competitive mortgage scoring market that puts the consumer first.
We are fully aligned with FHFA Director Pulte’s call for creative and constructive action as we work to support homebuyers and bring new entrants, like VantageScore, into the mortgage ecosystem.
About CDIA: The Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) is the voice of the consumer reporting industry, representing consumer reporting agencies, including the nationwide credit bureaus, regional and specialized credit bureaus, background check and residential screening companies, and others. Founded in 1906, CDIA promotes the responsible use of consumer data to help consumers achieve their financial goals and to help businesses, governments, and volunteer organizations avoid fraud.
Contact:
Ben Corb
bcorb@cdiaonline.org
202.841.2701
NCRA commented on last week’s FICO’s announcement: The National Consumer Reporting Association’s reseller members support competition and lower costs for American homebuyers. FICO’s announcement on score delivery this week may offer some relief, but more thorough review is needed. The cost of credit reports and scores has increased significantly in the last few years, and that is a point of concern for NCRA members, who are price-takers, not price-makers. However, the cost of credit information is still less than 1% of closing costs.
MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, released the following statement on FICO’s announcement of new alternative pricing models:
“MBA has led the industry in calling for fixes to the anticompetitive market and increasing costs that lenders and consumers pay for required tri-merge credit reports and other credit reporting products.
FICO’s new program – which enhances transparency and provides more options to lenders–is a step in the right direction.
While it remains to be seen if this will result in materially lower costs, MBA will monitor the implementation of this new program while continuing to call for reforms that support a better credit reporting system that promotes more competition, efficiency, and lower costs for consumers.”
The Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA) said it is “concerned that in a head-to- head matchup, Fair Isaac might ultimately squeeze out VantageScore and the Credit Bureau model altogether.”
“We will closely monitor developments related to yesterday’s announcement, to ensure promised savings are real, passed through to consumers, and consistent with our long-standing calls for fair, competitive credit-score markets,” the CHLA said in a statement.
FICO said it is already working with resellers to roll out the new options. Some resellers operate their own technology platforms that would be integrated with FICO, while others rely on third-party vendors.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte posted Thursday morning on X a comment saying he “genuinely appreciates FICO taking constructive criticism” after conversations with CEO Will Lansing.
“While their decision is a first step, it is appreciated. I encourage the credit bureaus to also take similar creative and constructive actions to make our markets safer, stronger and more competitive,” Pulte wrote. “To that end, VantageScore should also look at ensuring they are competitive, in every way, including but not limited to costs.”
