Global analytics software leader FICO has partnered with Xactus, a fintech company and market leader in mortgage verification solutions, to announce a major milestone in the U.S. mortgage industry. Xactus has become the first verification provider to finalize a multi-year agreement to participate in the FICO Mortgage Direct License Program a partnership set to redefine how credit scores are delivered to lenders.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in modernizing credit infrastructure across the $12 trillion U.S. mortgage market. Through the new program, tri-merge providers like Xactus will be able to calculate and deliver FICO Scores directly to lenders, simplifying the process and creating more transparency in how credit data is accessed and priced. Xactus is now working closely with FICO to roll out this system, ensuring its clients can seamlessly integrate the new model into their existing workflows.
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Shelley Leonard, President of Xactus, highlighted how meaningful this partnership is for the future of the mortgage industry. She shared her excitement about what it means for lenders and borrowers alike, saying, “We truly believe this partnership with FICO will change the way FICO Scores are delivered and priced across the mortgage market. It’s more than just a new system — it’s about giving lenders more options, flexibility, and control. Our goal has always been to make things simpler and more transparent for our customers, and partnering with FICO allows us to do exactly that. We’re proud to be the first to take this step and to help our clients stay ahead in an industry that’s evolving faster than ever.”
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The FICO Mortgage Direct License Program is designed to bring more efficiency and affordability to lenders. By streamlining the way FICO Scores are provided, the program enables lenders to reduce per-score FICO fees by as much as 50%. It also offers flexible pricing models, allowing lenders to select structures that best align with their business strategies while maintaining access to the industry-standard FICO Score — a critical factor in mortgage funding and liquidity.
Julie May, Vice President and General Manager of B2B Scores at FICO, highlighted how this partnership reflects FICO’s broader vision for the lending industry. “This milestone partnership with Xactus accelerates our commitment to building a more transparent, competitive, and cost-efficient mortgage lending marketplace,” she said. “Together, we’re empowering lenders to choose the pricing model that works best for their business and customers.”
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FICO and Xactus plan to release additional details once the solution becomes commercially available. The update will include information on how lenders can begin accessing FICO Scores directly through the FICO Mortgage Direct License Program at Xactus a change that’s expected to make credit assessment faster, more affordable, and more adaptable to the evolving needs of mortgage lenders nationwide.
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