A new Milliman study finds that FICO 10T is more predictive of default risk across the full range of credit scores. VantageScore said the study is full of “statistical swindles.”
Some economists suggest Fannie and Freddie should accept mortgages that include a modest prepayment penalty as a way to keep residential mortgage rates lower. But that would be a political challenge.
The Chicago-based fintech said its new title insurance waiver program could accelerate the mortgage process and potentially save qualified refinance borrowers as much as $2,500 in closing costs.
Milliman researchers calculate that the capital benefit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac receive for their CRT activity reduces their capital requirement by about 20%.
Both VantageScore and FICO have commissioned research to support their claims of superiority. But the truth probably won’t be known until VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T compete head-to-head.
Fannie and Freddie separately updated their selling guides, with changes involving remote online notarization and qualification in instances where the mortgage applicant is anticipating a new job or a raise. There are also some developments involving the Uniform Appraisal Dataset.
Fannie Mae is offering a new custodial bank account management application that impacts submissions of various forms to the GSE. Freddie Mac has adjusted the definitions of “change of control” and “senior management” at mortgage companies.
Until Fannie and Freddie are more transparent about the loan-level pricing adjustment grids for the new credit score, lenders and investors will remain cautious about its implementation.