SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FICO (NYSE:FICO), the predictive analytics and decision management software company, today announced that FICO^® Score 9 is available now at Experian for U.S. credit grantors to use for testing and validation, and will be available in full production in April. FICO Score 9 features analytic enhancements that have increased the score's predictive power, enabling lenders to approve millions more consumers in the same score ranges, expanding lending at the same level of risk.

This new version of the FICO^® Score introduces a more nuanced way to assess collection information that appears on a consumer's credit report, bypassing paid collection agency accounts and differentiating medical from non-medical collection agency accounts. This helps ensure that medical collections have a lower impact on the FICO Score, commensurate with the credit risk they represent.

FICO's best-in-class credit analytics make FICO^® Score 9 more predictive of a consumer's likelihood to repay debts than other credit scores. FICO Score 9 also represents a significant step forward in the assessment of consumers with limited credit histories – so-called "thin files." This can help lenders safely grow their lending portfolios.

"FICO Score 9 reaffirms our position as the clear leader in consumer credit scoring and risk management," said Jim Wehmann, executive vice president, Scores for FICO. "Our scores are used by 90 percent of the top lenders in the U.S. because they trust the FICO Score to help them manage risk and optimize credit decisions. Credit grantors that use FICO Score 9 are advancing their ability to create profitable, responsible growth. We are thrilled that FICO Score 9 is now available at all three major U.S. credit bureaus."

FICO^® Score 9 will be followed by industry-specific FICO^® Scores, which will start becoming available in spring of 2015.

FICO is the leader in credit risk scoring. Twenty five of the largest credit card issuers, 25 of the largest auto lenders and tens of thousands of other U.S. businesses rely on the FICO^® Score for consumer credit risk analysis. To learn more about FICO^® Score 9, please visit www.fico.com/en/campaigns/ficoscore9/.

About FICO
FICO (NYSE: FICO) is a leading analytics software company, helping businesses in 90+ countries make better decisions that drive higher levels of growth, profitability and customer satisfaction. The company's groundbreaking use of Big Data and mathematical algorithms to predict consumer behavior has transformed entire industries. FICO provides analytics software and tools used across multiple industries to manage risk, fight fraud, build more profitable customer relationships, optimize operations and meet strict government regulations. Many of our products reach industry-wide adoption. These include the FICO^® Score, the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States. FICO solutions leverage open-source standards and cloud computing to maximize flexibility, speed deployment and reduce costs. The company also helps millions of people manage their personal credit health.

FICO: Make every decision count™. Learn more at www.fico.com.

For FICO news and media resources, visit www.fico.com/news.

FICO and "Make every decision count" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and in other countries.

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SOURCE FICO

Media: Jeff Scott for FICO, +1 (408) 884-4017, jscott@iqprinc.com or Investors/Analysts: Steven Weber, +1 (800) 213 5542, investor@fico.com