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A guide to FICO® Score 10T

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      Quick insights

      • FICO 10T is a credit scoring model that uses trended data to evaluate your financial habits over time.
      • A main difference between FICO 10T and FICO Score 10 is that the "T" version looks at historical patterns rather than a single snapshot.
      • Lenders might use this model to help predict credit risk, which may benefit borrowers who consistently pay down their debt.

      You might check your credit score before applying for a mortgage or a new credit card, only to find the lender uses a model you haven't seen before. If you've come across the name FICO 10T, you might wonder how it affects your application.

      FICO 10T is a credit scoring model that evaluates your financial habits over time. Understanding how this model works may be useful when navigating credit-related financial decisions.

      What is FICO Score 10T?

      A credit score is a number that helps assess your creditworthiness and is one of several factors lenders may consider when making a lending decision. You may actually have many scores because there are different scoring companies and model versions.

      FICO 10T is a specific model created by Fair Isaac Corp. The "T" stands for trended data. Trended data means the model can evaluate patterns over time, not just a snapshot. For example, it may check whether your credit card balance is going up, going down or staying steady over the past 24 months.

      How is FICO Score 10T different from FICO Score 10?

      Both the FICO Score 10 and FICO Score 10T models are part of the same suite and update the math used in older versions.

      Here are a few ways they differ:

      • Data timeline: FICO Score 10 relies on traditional data, taking a snapshot of your credit at a specific moment. FICO 10T checks your historical payment habits over a longer period.
      • Focus on patterns: If you usually carry a balance for a few months after a big expense and then pay it down, FICO 10T may notice that positive trend. FICO Score 10 might focus more on where your balance sits right now.
      • Treatment of debt consolidation: Both models look closely at personal loans used to consolidate debt. If you pay off credit cards with a loan but run up the card balances again, either model may view that behavior as a higher risk.

      What are the potential benefits of FICO Score 10T?

      The model a lender chooses can be a factor if you're applying for a credit card or a mortgage. The Federal Housing Finance Agency has approved FICO 10TOpens overlay for certain mortgage-related uses, making it a relevant model for homebuyers.

      Here are a few potential benefits of this model:

      • Rewarding steady habits: Because it uses trended data, consistently paying off your credit card in full each month may reflect positively.
      • Assessing risk: The model is designed to help predict whether a borrower might fall behind on payments.
      • Potentially expanding approvals: This model may allow lenders to expand approval rates for certain loans.

      Ways to monitor your credit health

      Small credit score differences across models can cause confusion. Score differences don't always mean a mistake, but they may be a signal to monitor your credit report. A credit report is a record of your credit history from a credit bureau like Experian™, Equifax® or TransUnion®.

      Monitoring your credit report may help you spot errors. If inaccuracies on your credit report are disputed and corrected, that may be reflected in your score. Your bank may offer complimentary tools to help you monitor your score. For example, Chase Credit Journey®, powered by Experian™, is a free online tool available to both Chase and non-Chase customers. It is designed to help customers better understand and manage their credit score and credit goals. Customers can access their credit score anytime with no impact to their credit, receive credit tips to help improve their score, and get identity monitoring—all in one place and for free.

      While Credit Journey uses VantageScore® 3.0—not FICO 10T—it may be a helpful resource since these models rely on much of the same underlying data. Focusing on the behaviors that tend to matter across models may help raise your score. Paying on time and keeping balances at a manageable level may help over time.

      The bottom line

      FICO 10T is a credit scoring model designed to give lenders a look at your credit history over time. Monitoring your credit report and paying on time may help you maintain your credit health across different models.

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