They’re reunited, and it feels so good…but we’re not talking about a Hollywood couple or your favorite estranged boy-band. Instead, this reunion is between Experian and FICO, far less sexy but probably more important financially to consumers.
A FICO score is calculated as a combination of three separate scoring systems, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. But since Feb 14, 2009, consumers were only able to view credit scores from the first two companies, not Experian.
It was that date Experian and Fico ended a partnership that started June of 2003, where consumers could access any of their three scores at myFICO.com. But, for some unknown reason, they dissolved that partnership, leaving them with access to Experian credit reports but not Experian FICO scores.
FICO released a statement in February of 2009 that said: “Experian has notified us that it will terminate its relationship with myFICO.com, effective February 14, 2009.”
But the companies released a joint press release May 8, 2013 that states Experian scores will once again be available to consumers through myFico,com and other 3rd party businesses.
The credit reporting information will be for both pre and post 2009, despite their past differences.
Why is this important? Basically, a consumer’s FICO score was calculated with reports from three credit bureaus, yet only information from two was readily disclosed, leaving consumers and credit professionals somewhat in the dark.
Mortgage lenders usually use all three bureau’s reports, while auto lenders and credit cards typically use only one.
Now, access will be granted to all three again, making it easier to monitor, repair, and boost a credit score, promoting responsible credit worthiness and financial health for those who make the effort. Once again, it will be a level information playing field, with 3-for-3 credit bureaus reporting through myfico.com
The changes are expected to be instituted in the very near future, and MyFico.com will most likely charge 19.95 for an Experian report, like it does now for the other two bureaus.
Accessing your own credit report through myFico.com is a great way to measure your credit health and protect your identity, but for more in depth monitoring or boosting a less-than-stellar credit score, Blue Water Credit can help.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation or if you have any questions.
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Long term agreement facilitates expanded analytics for risk management
SAN JOSE and COSTA MESA, Calif. – May 8, 2013 – FICO (NYSE: FICO), a leading predictive analytics and decision management software company, and Experian®, the leading global information services company, today announced that they have agreed to extend their long-standing partnership to provide FICO® Scores to the North American banking community. Additionally, Experian has agreed to expand FICO’s access to its consumer data for the purposes of developing and marketing new analytics that will meet the changing requirements of businesses in this era of intense competition and heightened regulatory requirements.
As part of the new long-term agreement, FICO will be able to license its analytics directly to lenders. Experian will support these FICO direct licenses by agreeing to deliver the FICO score, derived from Experian’s industry-leading data, to mutual clients. FICO’s expanded access to Experian’s consumer credit data will enable the creation of models for additional predictive power. Furthermore, Experian will make FICO Scores available to consumers through myFICO.com and through third parties.
“Between growing competitive pressures and increasingly complex regulatory requirements, lenders are gravitating toward the best data and analytic tools available,” said CEB TowerGroup Senior Research Director Craig Focardi. “Lenders also rely heavily on long-standing data and analytics vendor partnerships that provide continued options and new product offerings.”
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft. Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2012 was US$4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.
FICO (NYSE:FICO) delivers superior predictive analytics solutions that drive smarter decisions. The company’s groundbreaking use of mathematics to predict consumer behavior has transformed entire industries and revolutionized the way risk is managed and products are marketed. FICO’s innovative solutions include the FICO® Score — the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States — along with industry-leading solutions for managing credit accounts, identifying and minimizing the impact of fraud, and customizing consumer offers with pinpoint accuracy. Most of the world’s top banks, as well as leading insurers, retailers, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies, rely on FICO solutions to accelerate growth, control risk, boost profits and meet regulatory and competitive demands. FICO also helps millions of individuals manage their personal credit health through www.myFICO.com.
FICO: Make every decision count™.
For FICO news and media resources, visit www.fico.com/news.
Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this news release that relate to FICO or its business are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the success of the Company’s Decision Management strategy and reengineering plan, the maintenance of its existing relationships and ability to create new relationships with customers and key alliance partners, its ability to continue to develop new and enhanced products and services, its ability to recruit and retain key technical and managerial personnel, competition, regulatory changes applicable to the use of consumer credit and other data, the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions, continuing material adverse developments in global economic conditions, and other risks described from time to time in FICO’s SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 and its last quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, FICO’s results could differ materially from its expectations. FICO disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
FICO and myFICO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and in other countries.
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