Now no credit scores for Conventional financing

Didier Malagies • November 17, 2025

What Does “No Credit Score Mortgage” Mean (for FNMA)


Policy Change


As of November 15, 2025, Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system (Desktop Underwriter, or DU) will no longer require a minimum third-party credit score.

Fannie Mae

Instead of relying on a fixed cutoff (like “you must have a 620 FICO”), DU will use Fannie Mae’s proprietary risk-assessment model to evaluate credit risk.

Fannie Mae

That model considers more than just credit score: payment history, “trended” credit data, nontraditional credit sources like rent, utilities, and so on.

Fannie Mae

Nontraditional Credit Allowed

Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide includes rules for “nontraditional credit” — that is, credit history documented without a standard credit score.

Selling Guide


When a borrower truly has no credit score, lenders must document nontraditional credit history. For example, they might look at 12 months of cash flow or payment history (rent, utilities, insurance, etc.).

 Fannie requires borrowers without any credit score to complete homeownership education before closing.

Selling Guide

Why This Could Be a Good Thing

Greater Access to Homeownership

This change will likely help people who are “credit invisible” (i.e., they don’t have a traditional credit score) get conventional mortgages.

Historically underserved groups (such as those who rent, use nontraditional credit, or have limited credit history) could benefit.

More Holistic Underwriting

By removing the rigid score minimum, DU can look at the whole financial picture. This means more weight on things like debt-to-income ratio, reserves, employment, and nontraditional credit.


Using more data (rent history, payment trends) can be more predictive of whether someone will make mortgage payments than just a credit score.

Potential Cost Benefits for Some Borrowers

If done right, borrowers with limited credit but solid finances could qualify for a conventional loan (which may have more favorable terms than some other high-risk or subprime options).

It may reduce the need for more expensive or risky loan products for people who don’t fit the “traditional” credit profile.

Risks and Downsides

Higher Risk for Lenders → Possibly Higher Cost

Without a credit score floor, lenders are taking on more uncertainty. They may require larger down payments, lower loan-to-value ratios (LTVs), or more reserves to compensate.


If the borrower is truly “credit invisible,” the lender’s verification burden is higher (to safely assess risk), which could make underwriting more stringent in non-score cases.


Potential for Higher Interest Rates / Pricing Risks


Even if a borrower qualifies, the interest rate may be higher compared to someone with a very good credit score, because the risk model may not “discount” as heavily without a high score.


There could be loan-level price adjustments (or other risk-based pricing) tied to the riskiness of nontraditional credit profiles.


Performance Uncertainty


This is a newer underwriting paradigm for Fannie Mae, so long-term performance is less “battle-tested” at scale for certain nontraditional credit borrowers.


If default rates go up for these loans, it could have negative implications for lenders or investors (or for how such loans are underwritten in the future).


Lender Overlays


Just because Fannie Mae has this policy doesn’t mean all lenders will be aggressive in offering no-score loans. Some may add their own stricter requirements (“overlays”) that make it harder than it sounds.


You’ll need a lender that is comfortable underwriting nontraditional credit and willing to do the extra documentation.


Is It a Good Thing For You Personally?


It depends on your situation:


Yes, it could be great if:


You don’t have a traditional credit score but have a solid financial picture (stable income, low debt, documented payment history for rent/utilities).


You want access to a mainstream, conventional mortgage.


You have enough reserves/down payment to satisfy lender’s risk assessment.


Be cautious if:


Your income or cash flow is marginal, because the lender may not be comfortable with “no score + limited reserves.”


You don’t have much documentation of nontraditional credit (you’ll need to show 12 months or more of payment history).


You’re not working with a lender that understands or is experienced with Fannie Mae’s nontraditional credit program.


My Verdict


Overall, yes — this is a positive shift by Fannie Mae toward more inclusive, flexible underwriting. It’s likely to help more people who’ve been shut out of conventional mortgages. But it’s not “free risk”: borrowers still need to show financial responsibility, and lenders will underwrite carefully.


If you are considering this type of mortgage (or someone offered it to you), I strongly recommend:


Talking to a lender experienced with Fannie Mae’s nontraditional credit program.


Didier Malagies nmls212566

DDA Mortgage nmls324329

.


Ask a Mortgage Question

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

203H Ask A Question


Start Your Loan with DDA today

Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews


Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies December 26, 2025
When someone has lived in a home for many years, their property taxes are often artificially low because of long-standing exemptions and assessment caps (like Florida’s Save Our Homes). If you close in January of the following year, here’s what happens: What you get at closing Property taxes are paid in arrears At a January closing, the tax proration is based on the prior year’s tax bill That bill still reflects: The long-term owner’s capped assessment Their homestead exemption As the buyer, you effectively benefit from those lower taxes for that entire year Why the increase doesn’t hit right away The county does not immediately reassess at closing The new assessed value is set as of January 1 of the year after the sale The higher tax bill is issued the following year Timeline example January 2026 – You close on the home All of 2026 – Taxes are based on the prior owner’s low, capped value November 2026 – You receive the first tax bill, still using the old assessment January 2027 – Reassessment takes effect at the higher value November 2027 – You receive the higher tax bill Key takeaway You enjoy the lower taxes for the full year after closing The adjustment does not occur until the second year This is why January closings after a long-term owner can look very attractive up front—but the increase is delayed, not eliminated Why this matters Many buyers think the taxes shown at closing are permanent. In reality, they’re just on a one-year lag due to how property tax assessments work. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies December 17, 2025
Here’s what’s really happening and why consumers are confused: Why “low rates & no closing costs” isn’t true Rates aren’t actually low Headline ads often quote temporary buydowns, ARM teaser rates, or perfect-credit scenarios that very few borrowers qualify for. The real, fully indexed 30-year fixed rate is meaningfully higher once you look at actual pricing. “No closing costs” usually means one of three things Lender credits: The borrower pays through a higher interest rate. Seller concessions: Only possible if the seller agrees — not universal. Costs rolled into the loan: Still paid, just financed over time. Rate buydowns are being marketed as permanent 2-1 or 1-0 buydowns lower payments only for the first year or two. Many borrowers don’t realize their payment will increase later. AI-driven and online lenders amplify the issue Automated platforms advertise best-case pricing without explaining: LLPAs DTI adjustments Credit overlays Property type impacts What customers should be told instead (plain truth) There is always a trade-off between rate and costs. If closing costs are “covered,” the rate will be higher. If the rate is lower, the borrower is paying for it upfront. There is no free money — just different ways to pay. How professionals are reframing the conversation Showing side-by-side scenarios: Low rate / higher costs Higher rate / lender credit Focusing on total cost over time, not just the rate Explaining break-even points clearly Given your background in mortgages and rate behavior, this kind of misrepresentation usually shows up late in the process, when the borrower sees the LE and feels misled. If you want, I can help you: tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies December 11, 2025
If the **Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 0.25% and simultaneously restarts a form of quantitative easing (QE) by buying about $40 billion per month of securities, the overall monetary policy stance becomes very accommodative. Here’s what that generally means for interest rates and the broader economy: 📉 1. Short-Term Interest Rates The Fed’s benchmark rate (federal funds rate) directly sets the cost of overnight borrowing between banks. A 0.25% cut lowers that rate, which usually leads to lower short-term borrowing costs throughout the economy — for example on credit cards, variable-rate loans, and some business financing. Yahoo Finance +1 In most markets, short-term yields fall first, because they track the federal funds rate most closely. Reuters 📉 2. Long-Term Interest Rates Purchasing bonds (QE) puts downward pressure on long-term yields. When the Fed buys large amounts of Treasury bills or bonds, it increases demand for them, pushing prices up and yields down. SIEPR This tends to lower mortgage rates, corporate borrowing costs, and yields on long-dated government bonds, though not always as quickly or as much as short-term rates. Bankrate 🤝 3. Combined Effect Rate cuts + QE = dual easing. Rate cuts reduce the cost of short-term credit, and QE often helps bring down long-term rates too. Together, they usually flatten the yield curve (short and long rates both lower). SIEPR Lower rates overall tend to stimulate spending by households and investment by businesses because borrowing is cheaper. Cleveland Federal Reserve 💡 4. Market and Economic Responses Financial markets often interpret such easing as a cue that the Fed wants to support the economy. Stocks may rise and bond yields may fall. Reuters However, if inflation is already above target (as it has been), this accommodative stance could keep long-term inflation elevated or slow the pace of inflation decline. That’s one reason why Fed policymakers are sometimes divided over aggressive easing. Reuters 🔁 5. What This Doesn’t Mean The Fed buying $40 billion in bills right now may technically be labeled something like “reserve management purchases,” and some market analysts argue this may not be classic QE. But whether it’s traditional QE or not, the effect on liquidity and longer-term rates is similar: more Fed demand for government paper equals lower yields. Reuters In simple terms: ✅ Short-term rates will be lower because of the rate cut. ✅ Long-term rates are likely to decline too if the asset purchases are sustained. ➡️ Overall borrowing costs fall across the economy, boosting credit, investment, and spending. ⚠️ But this also risks higher inflation if demand strengthens too much while supply remains constrained. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
Show More