Potential Savings On Tri-merge Credit Reports

Cleaner Mortgage Credit Report Pricing

This is a behind‑the‑scenes change that can help your wallet. FICO now allows certain credit report companies to license the FICO® Score software directly instead of only getting it through the three credit bureaus. That can cut costs and reduce markups without changing how your score is calculated.

You do not need to do anything different. Here is what it means for you as a homebuyer or homeowner in Pennsylvania or Florida.

The 60‑second version

• What changed: approved providers can calculate FICO Scores under a direct license from FICO instead of only buying them through Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
• Why you care: this can lower the cost of your tri‑merge credit report and improve price transparency on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure.
• What did not change: your FICO Score model, your eligibility rules, and how lenders underwrite your loan.

How it affects your mortgage

Lower potential cost on your disclosures – The credit report and score line items may be smaller when your lender uses a provider with the new pricing. Savings vary by provider.

Same score model, same underwriting – Your score is still calculated with an approved FICO model on data from all three bureaus. The delivery route changes, not the math.

Fewer surprises – More transparent pricing can reduce odd fees and make it easier to compare quotes.

What you might see on your Loan Estimate

• A line item for the tri‑merge credit report and scores that is equal to or lower than before
• No change to your interest rate simply because of this program
• The rest of your fees and terms stay the same

If we can use a direct‑licensed provider, we pass the savings through on your disclosures.

Questions we hear from borrowers

Will my score be different? No. The same approved FICO Score model is used. Your score will not change because of who runs the software.

Does this mean I will qualify for more? Not by itself. Qualification still depends on your credit, income, debts, assets, and the property.

When does this start? Providers are rolling it out now. Adoption timing varies.

Can you still pull through the bureaus? Yes. This adds a new path. Lenders can use either route as long as the loan meets agency rules.

Where to see it on your Loan Estimate

You will usually find the credit report and score fee in “Services You Cannot Shop For” (Section B). Some lenders bundle it with other vendor costs, so the label can vary. On your Closing Disclosure, look for a similar line in the Loan Costs area.

Common concerns, answered

Will using a different provider trigger another hard pull? Not necessarily. Many lenders can reuse a recent tri‑merge within a window, but some investors require a pull by the funding lender. We will minimize pulls and explain why if another is needed.

Does this affect my ability to rate‑shop? You can still shop. Multiple mortgage inquiries in a short window are generally treated as one for scoring purposes. Keep your shopping tight and we will help you time it.

Could a cheaper provider be lower quality? No change to data sources. Scores still come from the same bureau data, calculated with the approved FICO model.

Quick glossary

• Tri‑merge: A credit report that merges data from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
• FICO model: The specific score formula approved for mortgage underwriting.
• Direct license: The provider licenses FICO software directly rather than buying only through the bureaus.
• Reseller: The company that compiles your tri‑merge and delivers scores to the lender.
• Funded‑loan fee: A fee some providers charge only if your mortgage closes.

Bottom line

This update is good news. It improves transparency and can lower a small but mandatory cost in the mortgage process. Your score model does not change. Your eligibility rules do not change. You simply get a cleaner, potentially cheaper way for lenders to access the FICO Score used in your loan.

Ready to get started? We will walk through your numbers, show competitive rates, and make sure every fee is clear before you move forward.