Briefings

Weekly briefing, September 21, 2026

Updates published to . Built from published records only.

Action required, new this week

Required changes published this week.

Arch MI, Customer Announcement CA 2026-05,
Action required

Arch MI Accepts VantageScore 4.0 Credit Score Model for All Loan Programs

Loan impactConventional with MIScoreCredit score modelEligibilityUnderwritingSecondary

Applies to: Loans submitted to Arch MI for mortgage insurance, including those using the VantageScore 4.0 credit score model, which Arch MI now accepts for all its programs.

What to review: First review the mandatory requirement, effective immediately, to indicate the representative credit score model and score used to underwrite and price each transaction; then note that Arch MI accepts VantageScore 4.0 loans for all its programs from operationally ready customers, and that lenders may select the model loan by loan, applied consistently to all borrowers. AWACS interpretation

Coming into effect in the next 60 days

Effective dates from .

Review recommended

New guidance, clarifications, flexibilities, overlays and insurer positions.

Fannie Mae, Lender Letter LL-2026-07,
Review recommended

Fannie Mae permits servicers to solicit borrowers for MI termination based on current property value

Loan impactConventionalMortgage insuranceServicing

Applies to: Conventional loans serviced for Fannie Mae with mortgage insurance that may be close to or have reached the LTV requirements for termination based on current property value.

What to review: No change is mandatory, so first review Servicing Guide B-8.1-04 to decide whether to use the option, effective immediately, to proactively solicit borrowers on conventional loans serviced for Fannie Mae whose loans may be close to or have reached the LTV requirements for MI termination based on current value, and to notify them of the actions required. AWACS interpretation

National MI, Announcement UW 2026-06,
Review recommended

National MI accepts VantageScore 4.0 for DU Approve/Eligible and LPA Accept/Eligible loans

Loan impactConventional with MICreditMortgage insuranceUnderwritingSecondary

Applies to: Loans insured by National MI that use VantageScore 4.0 and are DU Approve/Eligible or LPA Accept/Eligible.

What to review: No change is mandatory. National MI now accepts VantageScore 4.0 immediately, so lenders may use it for National MI-insured loans that are DU Approve/Eligible or LPA Accept/Eligible and meet GSE requirements and the VS4 score minimums in the updated TrueGuide (sections 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3). AWACS interpretation

Threads that moved

Topics more than one source has acted on, with a new update this week.

  • Arch MIArch MI now accepts VantageScore 4.0 loans for all programs from operationally ready customers, requires lenders to indicate the representative score model and score used, and leaves minimum credit score requirements unchanged.
    Fannie MaeFannie Mae added VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T to the Selling Guide as approved models, with VantageScore 4.0 limited to approved lenders and other lenders continuing to use classic FICO.
    Freddie MacFreddie Mac applies Credit Fees that no longer differ by score model to contracts with an acceptance date on or after 2026-10-01, with Bulletin 2026-H eligibility requirements unchanged.
    National MINational MI now accepts VantageScore 4.0 for DU Approve/Eligible and LPA Accept/Eligible loans, which are insurable when GSE requirements and the TrueGuide VS4 score minimums are met.

Data releases

Data releases and announcements with no direct requirement.