Overview
- Equifax set VantageScore 4.0 at $4.50 per score through 2027 and will provide the score at no cost in 2025–26 to mortgage, auto, card and consumer finance customers who also purchase FICO scores.
- The move follows FICO’s new reseller program that lets tri‑merge resellers deliver FICO scores directly, with a $4.95 per‑score royalty plus a $33 funded‑loan fee or a $10 per‑score legacy option.
- Equifax CEO Mark Begor accused FICO of operating a mortgage monopoly and framed the lower pricing as a push for open competition.
- Market reaction was swift, with Equifax shares up about 2% and Fair Isaac down roughly 9% in early afternoon trading on Wednesday.
- Equifax also pledged added incentives, including telecom, pay TV and utility data on mortgage files at no extra charge and free income and employment indicators, while promoting VantageScore’s alternative‑data approach and company‑claimed lift in originations.