UWM adds VantageScore alongside FICO for conventional loans

United Wholesale Mortgage announced Wednesday that independent mortgage brokers working with UWM can now access both FICO and VantageScore credit scoring models for conventional loans, a move aimed at giving brokers more flexibility when evaluating borrowers.

In a press release, the Michigan-based lender said brokers using its no-cost credit reports will automatically receive both credit scoring models.

Under the expanded offering, brokers will be able to compare borrower eligibility and pricing using both FICO and VantageScore credit scores and select the option that best fits a borrower’s financial profile.

UWM said VantageScore may provide advantages for borrowers with limited credit histories or those who have recently improved their financial standing. In some cases, borrowers who already qualify under FICO could receive better pricing if their VantageScore is higher, potentially resulting in more favorable loan-level price adjustments (LLPAs)

The announcement comes as mortgage lenders and the broader housing finance industry continue exploring alternatives to traditional credit scoring methods.

Last week, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a pilot program to allow the use of VantageScore 4.0 for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with plans to introduce FICO 10T and a new pricing grid tied to the updated credit models.

During the press conference last week, FHFA Director Bill Pulte said Fannie and Freddie are prepared to begin working with approved lenders to accept VantageScore 4.0. Pulte confirmed that lenders have already delivered about $10 million in loans using the model to Freddie Mac as part of an operational test, with securitization of these loans expected soon.

The announcement came in tandem with an announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to adopt FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans in the coming months, although officials did not provide a timeline.

The Trump administration has long pushed for changes to mortgage credit scoring, citing industry concerns over rising costs.

In July 2025, Pulte announced that Fannie and Freddie would begin accepting VantageScore 4.0. But the government-sponsored enterprises are continuing to use three-bureau “tri-merge” credit reports for now, despite some industry calls to move to a single-report model.