FICO Introduces More Predictive Scores For Auto Loans and Bank Cards
MINNEAPOLIS — March 30, 2009 — FICO™ (NYSE: FIC), the leading provider of analytics and decision management technology, today announced the release of its newest FICO® scores targeted specifically to the automobile lending and bankcard industries. Credit reporting agency TransUnion is making the scores available to lenders and issuers under the names FICO® Risk Score, Classic Auto 08 and FICO® Risk Score, Classic Bankcard 08.
The new products are industry-focused versions of the FICO 08 score, launched earlier this year. They improve upon the predictive performance of FICO industry scores now in use while providing auto lenders and card issuers with refined risk performance classification, enhanced segmentation capabilities, and protection against authorized user account “piggybacking,” while supporting compliance with federal fair lending and credit reporting regulations.
Auto Score
The new FICO 08 score for auto loans is expected to provide a significant increase in predictive power compared to previous versions of the FICO scoring model. Using the new score, auto lenders may be able to identify as many as 5 percent to 15 percent more potential delinquencies among consumers as they could with the previous FICO auto score. Use of the scores can help lenders make better informed decisions to as they seek to increase account bookings while reducing delinquencies and losses.
Bankcard Score
The new FICO scoring model for bankcards is designed to give card issuers greater predictive capabilities in their origination and account management decisions. Product validation testing found that the new scores could potentially increase issuers’ delinquency prediction rates by 6 percent to 12 percent compared to the previous FICO bankcard score. In addition, the new score includes refinements to address non-prime consumers and those with thin credit histories. “Auto lenders and bankcard issuers today face a similar challenge – the need to grow their business with good customers while cutting their risks and losses,” said Lisa Nelson, vice president of Global Scoring at FICO. “That is why we took the initiative to make the FICO 08 score more precise and predictive than ever before, and now we’ve further refined it to address the specific needs of these two industries. Clients who have been using our auto and bankcard scores can convert to the new scores with only minimal implementation changes.”
To further ease the transition, the new FICO auto and bankcard scores retain the same scoring range, score reason codes, minimum scoring criteria, and inquiry treatment as previous versions of the scores.
About FICO™
FICO (NYSE:FIC) transforms business by making every decision count. FICO’s Decision Management solutions combine trusted advice, world-class analytics and innovative applications to give organizations the power to automate, improve and connect decisions across their business. Clients in 80 countries work with FICO to increase customer loyalty and profitability, cut fraud losses, manage credit risk, meet regulatory and competitive demands, and rapidly build market share. FICO also helps millions of individuals manage their credit health through the www.myFICO.com website. Learn more about FICO at www.fico.com.
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, 2008, and its last quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008. 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 is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and in other countries.
Contact: Investors/Analysts: John D. Emerick, Jr. (512) 495-7180 investor@fairisaac.com Media: Chris Groppa (800) 213-5542 chris.groppa@fleishman.com
