United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) says it will obtain FICO scores and VantageScore 4.0 on every credit pull and automatically use the strongest qualifying score. Announced October 6, 2026, the lender-side change is intended to simplify brokers’ choices and, UWM says, improve borrowers’ pricing opportunities. It does not mean every borrower will get a lower rate, payment, or loan cost.
What UWM’s new credit-score policy means for borrowers
Previously, UWM made both models available for conventional loans, with both running automatically when brokers used UWM No-Cost Credit Reports. The October announcement describes a further step: UWM will pull both models on all credit pulls and automatically select the strongest score that qualifies under its process. The change shifts the model choice from a decision brokers had to navigate to an automatic UWM default. UWM’s announcement does not give an operational effective date or specify all eligible loan programs and exceptions. UWM’s October 6 announcement describes the policy.
UWM President and CEO Mat Ishbia said, “Our goal is simple: put borrowers in the best possible position while making it easier for brokers to do business.” He also said, “No one should have to worry about which credit model wins.” These are UWM’s stated aims; the release does not establish that the policy produces a better result for every borrower.
Does UWM use FICO or VantageScore?
Under the announced process, UWM will obtain both FICO and VantageScore 4.0 rather than relying on just one model. UWM says it will automatically use the “strongest qualifying score.” It does not explain the precise selection algorithm, define “qualifying,” or say that it will always choose the highest number shown. The score that qualifies may depend on rules not detailed in the release.
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| Model or process | What UWM has said |
|---|---|
| FICO | UWM says it will obtain FICO scores on all credit pulls. The October release does not provide further detail on the specific FICO score version or selection rules. |
| VantageScore 4.0 | UWM says it will obtain this score on all credit pulls. In earlier announcements, it described VantageScore 4.0 as incorporating additional information and trending credit data to assess credit management over time. |
| Automatic selection | UWM says it will use the strongest qualifying score. Its announcement does not publish the algorithm, exceptions, or how the selected score is applied across loan programs. |
The available information does not establish that either model is universally more accurate, more favorable, or accepted for every mortgage product. UWM’s April announcement about availability for conventional loans is here.
Could the policy lower a mortgage rate or payment?
Possibly for some borrowers, but UWM’s announcement does not promise an individual savings or quantify a typical change in rate, payment, or total loan cost. A stronger qualifying score may improve pricing opportunities, according to UWM, but it is not a guarantee of mortgage approval, a lower rate, reduced insurance costs, or a particular dollar saving.
The October release says early research indicates pulling all scores “could save many borrowers thousands.” It provides no dollar estimate, study method, sample, or time period. Treat that as an unquantified claim from UWM, not an established typical saving or a forecast for a particular borrower.
What UWM’s earlier borrower figures do—and do not—show
On September 15, 2026, UWM reported that approximately 25% of borrowers were seeing a more advantageous credit result with VantageScore 4.0 than with traditional FICO. It projected the share could reach two in five by the end of September. The projection was not a confirmed end-of-month result in the reviewed material. UWM’s release did not disclose a denominator, sample size, study population, or independent validation, so these figures should be understood as company-reported, not as a verified forecast for borrowers generally. UWM’s September 15 release contains the figures.
What borrowers should ask their mortgage broker
If you are working with a broker who submits loans to UWM, ask how the new process applies to your loan and whether the selected score changes the pricing or eligibility available to you. Since UWM has not published its full algorithm, a broker may be able to explain the result for your specific application, but the public announcement alone cannot predict it.
- Which score did UWM select for my loan, and why does it qualify?
- Does the selected score change my loan eligibility or pricing?
- What rate and costs apply to my actual loan terms, apart from the score-model comparison?
UWM’s announcement concerns UWM’s own process. It does not establish that other lenders will pull both models or automatically choose a score in the same way.
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