AWACSMortgage compliance intelligence from Flightline

Arch MI · Customer Announcement CA 2026-05 · Published

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

Lenders using VantageScore 4.0 must indicate the representative credit score model and credit score used to underwrite and price the transaction. Arch MI now accepts VS4 loans for all programs from operationally ready customers, with no change to minimum credit score requirements or representative score methodology.

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Loan impact

From the announcement text · verified

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.

Scope differs by change; see each change below.

Investor
Arch
Programs
Conventional
Affected areas
Score; Credit score model; Eligibility
Affected documents
Credit report; MI commitment; RateStar quote
Applicability confidence
Verified: every row above is supported by the source text
Supporting quotes from the announcement
  • affected areas“Loans using VS4 are eligible for all Arch MI programs, whether underwritten through DU or LPA or manually underwritten.”
  • affected areas“Lenders must indicate the representative credit score model and credit score used to underwrite and price the transaction.”
  • affected documents“The credit report must meet current Agency requirements.”
  • affected documents“The Arch MI Commitment and RateStar® quote will identify the model used for the underwriting decision and pricing.”

What changed

From the announcement text · Sections Arch MI Systems, Arch MI Accepts VS4 for All Loan Programs, Credit Report Requirements
RequirementPreviouslyNow
Indicate credit score model and score usedNewRequiredSection Arch MI SystemsNew requirementLenders must indicate the representative credit score model and credit score used to underwrite and price the transaction
VantageScore 4.0 accepted for all Arch MI programsRelaxedSection Arch MI Accepts VS4 for All Loan ProgramsNot statedVS4 loans eligible for all Arch MI programs, whether DU, LPA or manually underwritten, subject to published guidelines and minimum credit scores
Applies when: Score model is vantagescore_4_0
Credit score model selection per loanClarifiedSection Credit Report RequirementsNot statedLenders may select the model loan by loan, applied consistently to all borrowers on the transaction
Default model when none specified in submissionClarifiedSection Arch MI SystemsNot statedLoan treated as Classic FICO if no model is specified

What to do

AWACS interpretation · not source language

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.

Underwriting

Indicate the representative credit score model and the credit score used to underwrite and price the transaction, effective immediately.

Secondary

Indicate the representative credit score model and the credit score used to underwrite and price the transaction, effective immediately.

QC implications

  • Test that each loan submitted to Arch MI states the representative credit score model and the credit score used to underwrite and price it.
  • Check that the model shown on the Arch MI Commitment and RateStar quote matches the model used for the underwriting decision and pricing.
  • Confirm that loans with no model specified are not unintentionally treated as Classic FICO loans.
  • Where a lender chose the credit score model loan by loan, verify the chosen model was applied consistently to all borrowers on the transaction.
  • For VantageScore 4.0 loans, confirm they stay within published guidelines and minimum credit scores, whether run through DU or LPA or manually underwritten.

Source and record

Version 1 · archived

Checks passed

  • Schema valid
  • Effective quotes verbatim
  • Document ID appears in the source
  • Doc id matches catalog
  • Mandatory status is backed by requirement language
  • Mandatory entries have requirement language
  • Published on present
  • Title summary length
  • Controlled vocabulary
  • No placeholder tokens
  • Source link resolves
  • Loan impact quotes verbatim
  • Loan impact vocabulary
  • Changes quoted
  • Impact type consistent
  • Every required change is backed by obligation language
  • Only new or tightened changes are marked required
  • Loan impact covers every required change
  • Quotes are complete sentences
  • Unflagged must
  • Diff complete
  • Mandatory date resolved
  • Audience verbatim
  • Scope residential
  • Out of scope
  • Published in window
  • Interpretation schema valid
  • Interpretation separate