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A FICO score is a credit score developed by Fair Isaac Corporation, the most widely used model accounting for 90% of lending decisions. When lenders say "credit score," they typically mean FICO.
FICO vs. Other Scores
FICO (Fair Isaac): 90% of lenders use it. Developed 1956, most established.
VantageScore: Alternative model used by 10% of lenders and credit monitoring services.
Both use the same data (payment history, debt levels, credit history) but weight factors differently. Your FICO score might be 720 while your VantageScore is 680—same data, different calculations.
FICO Score Components
The five factors mirror general credit scores:
- Payment history: 35%
- Amounts owed: 30%
- Length of history: 15%
- New credit: 10%
- Credit mix: 10%
FICO Versions
Fair Isaac has released multiple versions:
FICO 8 (2009): Most common. Penalizes isolated late payments less harshly.
FICO 9 (2014): Ignores paid collections accounts and medical debt.
FICO 10/10.T (2020): Heavily weights credit utilization and payment patterns. Most lenders haven't adopted yet.
A lender might use FICO 8 for mortgage decisions but FICO 10 for credit cards. Your score varies by version.
Where to Check
Free FICO scores are available through major credit card companies, banks, and credit monitoring services. AnnualCreditReport.com provides free credit reports (the data used to calculate scores).
Many websites offering "free credit scores" provide VantageScore instead, not FICO. Check the fine print.
Impact on Borrowing
FICO scores directly affect lending outcomes:
- 750+ score: Approval likely, best rates
- 700-749: Approval likely, good rates
- 650-699: Approval possible, higher rates
- Below 650: Limited options, high rates or denial
