[dawsmik]

The FICO score is only one consideration. The biggest problem with the loans in 2007 was lack of verification of income and buyers qualifying on a mortgage amount that would eventually go up. A 650 FICO borrower with a good job, downpayment and an affordable monthly payment is a pretty good risk.

[rockinghigh]

My assumption is that someone with a score less than 700 probably had late payments on some of their debt.

[mtanski]

FICO score for mortgages is not the same score as the modern FIDO score. The mortgage score is often what's called FICO v2 and the modern one is something like v10. They've even branded their different old versions as Insurance score, Auto score, Mortgage score and those industries kind of stick with it.

To illustrate why this matters. My modern FICO score is something like high 700s, low 800s (depending on credit data vendor). My V2 score is like 690.

How did that happen? Turns out when I moved out from my last house (5 years ago) and canceled my internet with Time Warner they failed to charge me $31 which was always set to auto-play. I actually settled 5 months after the move when TW sent me to collections. The shady collection agency promised to remove it off the record if I paid (they didn't). Instead, it shows up as a 5 year old, $31 late payment, paid in full.

How did I find out, while looking to refinance at these current rates. I'm getting this sorted out now. Both TransUnion and Experian got it fixed in a few business day.... fucking Equifax cannot get their shit together 3 weeks later.

For me it's a hassle, annoyance and wasted time. But as you can see it can impact real people and the score methodology is pretty dumb.

It's insane that a 5 year old, paid in full debt for $31, that's not even my fault drags my credit score down ~100 points (that's what it is once corrected) and prevents from getting a refi. Doesn't matter that all my other credit cards are always paid in full, no late payments on mortgage, car, insurance ... which all add up to several magnitudes more then $31 over the 5 years.