Friday, December 22, 2006

VantageScore - The Tri-Business Model

I recently saw on CNBC that a new credit bureau called VantageScore is trying to update and levelize the way that credit scores are tabulated for creditors. Their "leveled credit characteristics" across the three credit agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will try to ensure that any credit score differences for the same consumer are attributable to what is in each agency's database, not the scoring algorithm itself.

It is a little known fact that credit scores from the different credit bureaus can differ markedly in the score they give the consumer. Each may have different credit card and mortgage loan histories, and one or all of them could have erroneous or incomplete data that can affect the credit score. Most lenders will report to one or two, but not every one of the lenders report to them all. FairIssac, the developer of the original credit scoring system, has always been the "gold standard" of credit score numbers. VantageScore may change that.

VantageScore is unique as the first credit scoring model to be developed jointly by the national credit reporting agencies. That way, VantageScore can enjoy the expertise of industry specialists to lessen score variability and increase consistency in the consumer's credit score. This can eliminate confusion for you and your lender.

To start with, VantageScore uses a different score range than the FICO Score model. The VantageScore range is 501-990. Using multiple scorecard technology, VantageScore seeks to give the lenders superior risk prediction. This results in a stronger separation of good and bad performing accounts. The new scoring system returns more predictable scores on "thin-file" consumers, which are those with little credit history to score. So, even if you have limited credit history, lenders can use VantageScore to best assist you under varied circumstances.

The criteria that VantageScore uses and the weights attributed to each are:

Payment History 32%
Have you consistently paid your accounts in a timely manner?

Utilization 23%
How much of the total credit available to you are you currently using?

Balances 16%
What is the total of your current and delinquent account balances?

Depth of Credit 13%
How long is your credit history and do you have a healthy mix of credit types?

Recent Credit 10%
How many recently opened credit accounts and credit inquiries do you have?

Available Credit 7%
What is the total amount of credit you have access to?

So in conclusion, VantageScore will have significant benefits to the credit consumer because it is consistent, using identical scoring algorithms and leveled credit characteristics across all three national credit reporting companies. It is accurate, because knowledge of the data ensures the most accurate scoring algorithm. And, it is easy to understand and apply, having a score range of 501-990 with higher scores representing a lower likelihood of risk.
I recently saw on CNBC that a new credit bureau called VantageScore is trying to update and levelize the way that credit scores are tabulated for creditors. Their "leveled credit characteristics" across the three credit agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will try to ensure that any credit score differences for the same consumer are attributable to what is in each agency's database, not the scoring algorithm itself.

It is a little known fact that credit scores from the different credit bureaus can differ markedly in the score they give the consumer. Each may have different credit card and mortgage loan histories, and one or all of them could have erroneous or incomplete data that can affect the credit score. Most lenders will report to one or two, but not every one of the lenders report to them all. FairIssac, the developer of the original credit scoring system, has always been the "gold standard" of credit score numbers. VantageScore may change that.

VantageScore is unique as the first credit scoring model to be developed jointly by the national credit reporting agencies. That way, VantageScore can enjoy the expertise of industry specialists to lessen score variability and increase consistency in the consumer's credit score. This can eliminate confusion for you and your lender.

To start with, VantageScore uses a different score range than the FICO Score model. The VantageScore range is 501-990. Using multiple scorecard technology, VantageScore seeks to give the lenders superior risk prediction. This results in a stronger separation of good and bad performing accounts. The new scoring system returns more predictable scores on "thin-file" consumers, which are those with little credit history to score. So, even if you have limited credit history, lenders can use VantageScore to best assist you under varied circumstances.

The criteria that VantageScore uses and the weights attributed to each are:

Payment History 32%
Have you consistently paid your accounts in a timely manner?

Utilization 23%
How much of the total credit available to you are you currently using?

Balances 16%
What is the total of your current and delinquent account balances?

Depth of Credit 13%
How long is your credit history and do you have a healthy mix of credit types?

Recent Credit 10%
How many recently opened credit accounts and credit inquiries do you have?

Available Credit 7%
What is the total amount of credit you have access to?

So in conclusion, VantageScore will have significant benefits to the credit consumer because it is consistent, using identical scoring algorithms and leveled credit characteristics across all three national credit reporting companies. It is accurate, because knowledge of the data ensures the most accurate scoring algorithm. And, it is easy to understand and apply, having a score range of 501-990 with higher scores representing a lower likelihood of risk.