SAN JOSE, Calif. —June 25, 2013 — FICO (NYSE:FICO), creator of the consumer credit score most used by lenders, today announced that U.S. consumers can now obtain their FICO® Scores based on credit data from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion at a single location – myFICO.com. This makes myFICO.com the definitive destination for consumers to get the information and products they need to better understand their credit and manage their financial health.
“For the first time in years, consumers can obtain their FICO Scores and credit reports from all three major U.S. credit bureaus,” said Geoff Smith, vice president of myFICO.com. “This is important because many lenders use multiple credit reports and FICO Scores in credit decisions.”
While lenders consider different kinds of information when making lending decisions, this information almost always includes a credit report and FICO Score. A credit report is a history of a consumer’s credit activity, while the FICO Score provides an assessment of the information in the credit report in order to predict how well a consumer will handle credit in the future. Each FICO Score from myFICO.com is accompanied by a credit report from the corresponding credit bureau and an explanation of the credit information that had the greatest impact on the score.
"Consumer Action is pleased that the FICO Score based on Experian data will be available to consumers at myFICO.com," said Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for the 42-year old nonprofit consumer education and advocacy organization. "Consumers need to know their FICO Scores from all three national credit bureaus because lenders use all three to determine consumers' creditworthiness and all three scores, when viewed together, give consumers the best indication of their overall credit history and current potential as borrowers."
“Checking your FICO Score regularly is a savvy financial practice,” Smith noted. “It’s part of being an educated and informed consumer, and taking control of your financial life. Just as you should periodically check your credit report from each of the three bureaus for accuracy, you should also monitor your FICO Score for unexpected changes. A strong FICO Score will save you money by helping you secure the best available rates when applying for credit.”
“This offering improves the choice consumers have when buying credit information to monitor their credit profiles or decide whether to apply for a new loan,” said CEB TowerGroup Senior Research Director Craig Focardi. “This is especially important for consumers because when consumers apply for mortgages, their lenders also use the FICO Score from each major credit bureau.”
About the FICO® Score
With over 10 billion FICO® Scores used worldwide to empower lenders to make credit decisions, the FICO® Score has become the standard measure of U.S. consumer credit risk. FICO® Scores are used today in more than 20 countries on five continents, as well as all of the top 50 U.S. financial institutions and both the 25 largest U.S. credit card issuers and auto lenders. Ninety percent of credit scores purchased by lenders are FICO Scores according to Tower Group.
About FICO
FICO (NYSE: FICO) is a leading analytics software company, helping businesses in 80+ countries make better decisions that drive higher levels of growth, profitability and customer satisfaction. The company’s groundbreaking use of Big Data and mathematical algorithms to predict consumer behavior has transformed entire industries. FICO provides analytics software and tools used across multiple industries to manage risk, fight fraud, build more profitable customer relationships, optimize operations and meet strict government regulations. Many of our products reach industry-wide adoption — such as the FICO® Score, the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States. FICO solutions leverage open-source standards and cloud computing to maximize flexibility, speed deployment and reduce costs. The company also helps millions of people manage their personal credit health through their consumer site www.myfico.com.
FICO: Make every decision count™. Learn more at www.fico.com.
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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 “Make every decision count” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and in other countries.
