FHA to Accept VantageScore 4.0 on January 1, 2027, Expanding Homeownership Opportunities for Newly-Eligible Americans

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 11, 2026--

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will accept mortgage collateral backed by the VantageScore 4.0 credit scoring model starting on January 1, 2027. Mortgages issued by the FHA account for nearly 20% of annual mortgages in the United States. The change reflects longstanding efforts to expand access to homeownership for creditworthy, working-class Americans, in line with the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) mandate to accept collateral using the more inclusive and predictive VantageScore 4.0. With this announcement, VantageScore 4.0 is now the only modern, trended data mortgage credit score implemented at all Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260911540790/en/

"One of the most significant purchases Americans get to make in their lifetimes is their first home. We thank Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner and acting FHA Director and Ginnie Mae President Joseph Gormley for opening up another opportunity to expand access to affordable housing for all creditworthy Americans,” said Tony Hutchinson, EVP and Head of Public Affairs at VantageScore. "VantageScore enables more underserved Americans – such as rural Americans, veterans and active-duty service members – to access the financial products they need, ensuring that every creditworthy person has the opportunity to become a homeowner.”

This announcement follows the FHFA’s recent directive that all mortgages securitized by the GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will now disclose a VantageScore 4.0 credit score in addition to a legacy score. Earlier this month, FHFA Director Pulte announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can now accept VantageScore 4.0 credit scores from all mortgage origination lenders. Since May 1, 2026, several of the largest mortgage lenders and mortgage industry participants have rapidly moved to adopt VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages, including the top two mortgage originators, Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage, along with the Federal Home Loan Banks, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

A division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the FHA has been helping Americans become homeowners since 1934 and is one of the largest mortgage insurers in the world. FHA Home Loans offer favorable terms for buying, building, improving or refinancing homes, contingent upon a credit score.

VantageScore 4.0 gives lenders a more modern and predictive view of consumer credit risk, helping them responsibly identify qualified borrowers who may be overlooked by traditional credit scoring models. Don’t get left behind — explore piloting VantageScore 4.0 at www.vantagescore.com/lenders.

About VantageScore®

VantageScore is the fastest-growing credit scoring company in the U.S., and is known for the industry’s most innovative, predictive and inclusive credit score models. In 2024, usage of VantageScore increased by 55% to hit 42 billion credit scores. More than 3,700 institutions, including nine of the top 10 U.S. banks, use VantageScore credit scores and digital tools to provide consumer credit products or generate greater insights into consumer behavior. The VantageScore 4.0 credit scoring model scores 33 million more people than traditional models. With the FHFA allowing the immediate use of VantageScore 4.0 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranteed mortgages, the company is also ushering in a new era for mortgage lending.

VantageScore is an independent joint venture company owned by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

FHA to Accept VantageScore 4.0 on January 1, 2027

NEW YORK (AP) — Ninety Grand Slam tournaments have passed since Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 final at Flushing Meadows. Since then, no other U.S. male player has managed to win the U.S. Open on home soil or any of the other three majors.

Apart from Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro at the 2009 U.S. Open and his compatriot Gastón Gaudio at the 2004 French Open, every champion across the world’s four major tournaments has been European.

Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton — who face off in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday night — could end this drought for American men.

“You know the history; it was the era of the ‘Big Three’ (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic) — something unmatched," Del Potro told reporters. "But American tennis has the potential to break this pattern. There are so many good players now with the potential to be Grand Slam champions, and I sincerely believe Tiafoe or Shelton can do it.”

As the last Grand Slam champion born outside of Europe, Del Potro takes pride in walking the grounds of the U.S. Open.

The winner of the 2009 Open — who defeated Federer in the final to deny the Swiss star a sixth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows — now works as an analyst for ESPN Latin America.

“I’m so happy to be back in this special place,” the Argentine said. “It’s always a pleasure to be here. They still treat me like a champion, which feels great.”

His first day in this new role was grueling, featuring two men’s quarterfinals: First, Tiafoe’s victory over Alex Michelsen, followed by Shelton’s win over Carlos Alcaraz — a match that set the record for the latest finish in tournament history, ending at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday.

“I don’t have the experience and it’s not easy at all, but I’m enjoying it a lot,” Del Potro said. “My first day ended at 4 a.m.”

His triumph at Flushing Meadows at age 20 hinted at further major victories. However, a punishing series of injuries intervened: He underwent three surgeries on his right wrist, one on his left wrist, and four on his right knee from 2019-21.

Del Potro ultimately retired in 2022 at age 33, ending a career that included a pair of Olympic medals: Bronze in London in 2012 and silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

“I’m moving better now because I’m not doing as much. I’m not playing anymore, and I’m not pushing myself hard in daily life,” Del Potro said. “Whenever I wanted to accept invitations for clinics or exhibition games I had to go through a medical process with injections or anti-inflammatories. I stopped because that took a heavy toll on me in recent years.”

Del Potro shared his experience with injuries with Alcaraz, speaking with him during the World Cup final in July.

Alcaraz returned to action at the U.S. Open after a nearly five-month hiatus caused by a right wrist injury. The Spaniard — who has seven Grand Slam titles at age 23 — avoided surgery and opted for conservative treatment, staying off the tour and missing two majors, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“I told Carlitos to stay on that conservative path and not mess with his wrist,” Del Potro noted. “My mistake was refusing to stop because I was fighting for ranking points in every tournament. Carlitos made the right decision; his wrist responded very well, and he played a great match against Shelton.”

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

FILE - Juan Martin Del Potro waves before an Argentina Open tennis match against Federico Delbonis at Guillermo Vilas Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello, File)