If you’ve checked your credit score through a credit card statement, banking app, or free credit monitoring service, you might be surprised to find a different number on your mortgage application. This discrepancy isn’t a mistake. It’s the result of different scoring models, reporting practices, and ranges used for mortgage lending.

1. Different Scoring Models Are Used

Most credit card issuers and free monitoring apps show you a VantageScore, while mortgage lenders must use specific FICO Scores, often older versions mandated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Credit Card Statement Score: Usually VantageScore 3.0 or 4.0, designed for general consumer use.
Mortgage Score: Uses FICO Score versions 2, 4, and 5 (depending on bureau), which weigh factors differently and are often more conservative.

These models can produce different numbers even with identical credit data. It’s common for VantageScore to be 20 to 40 points higher than your mortgage-specific FICO score.

2. Different Score Ranges

While both models typically range from 300 to 850, the mortgage FICO scores have slightly different ranges:

Experian (FICO Score 2): 300 to 850
Equifax (FICO Score 5): 300 to 850
TransUnion (FICO Score 4): 309 to 839

This means the same credit profile could show different maximum and minimum scores across bureaus, which can further explain discrepancies.

3. Different Weighting of Credit Factors

FICO and VantageScore models emphasize credit behavior differently:

Credit FactorVantageScore (apps/cards)FICO (mortgage)Payment historyVery importantMost importantCredit utilizationImportantImportantCredit ageModerately importantModerately importantAccount mixModerately importantLess importantRecent credit inquiriesModerately importantMore sensitive

Older FICO models can be stricter on things like collections and high balances, making scores lower than VantageScore.

4. Mortgage Lenders Use a Tri-Merge Report

During a mortgage application, lenders pull a tri-merge report showing your FICO scores from all three bureaus. The lender uses the middle score, not the highest or lowest.

Example:
Experian: 730
Equifax: 720
TransUnion: 715
Mortgage qualifying score = 720

5. VantageScore Is a Consumer Tool

VantageScore is primarily for consumer awareness and isn’t used for mortgage approvals. Mortgage underwriting relies solely on FICO scores, meaning the number you see in your banking app won’t match what your lender sees.

6. How to Check Your True Mortgage Score

To get the most accurate view before applying:
Ask a mortgage lender to run your tri-merge report.
Use myFICO.com, which shows all FICO versions, including mortgage-specific ones.

Bottom Line

The score you see on your credit card statement is helpful for tracking progress but isn’t the number used to approve your mortgage.

With different scoring models, different factor weightings, and even different score ranges (TransUnion 309 to 839, Experian and Equifax 300 to 850), it’s normal to see a discrepancy.

Before applying for a home loan, check your actual mortgage FICO scores to understand where you stand and avoid surprises during underwriting.

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