Survey Also Shows Strong Support for Trump’s Housing Affordability Policies
Affordability Leading Voter Concerns as Midterms Approach
Washington, D.C – A new nationwide survey conducted by Fabrizio Ward finds overwhelming public support for reining in recent price hikes by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) – including by reversing the company’s large mortgage credit score fee increases and launching a federal investigation into the matter. The poll, which also dove into other housing-related matters and voter concerns ahead of the midterms, was released today by Plymouth Union Public Research, a nonprofit dedicated to public opinion research on market-influencing policy issues.
FICO holds a dominant position in the mortgage credit scoring market, utilized by 90% of lenders. The company also long-held an exclusive status for many government-backed loans. Since 2022, FICO has raised its credit pull fees more than 1,500%, and the three major credit bureaus have also substantially increased their fees.
The survey results come at a critical moment in the growing conversation around FICO price increases and management. Congressional leaders, and Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have already called for action against FICO, including a Congressional probe and a formal request for a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation.
Key findings from the poll regarding FICO include:
- 74% of voters from across the political spectrum support rolling back FICO’s 1500% fee increase for credit score pulls.
- Voters broadly support (77%) a Department of Justice (DOJ) and FTC investigation into FICO for anti-competitive practices.
- First-time homebuyers are even stronger, with 84% supporting an investigation.
- 3-in-4 voters say ending FICO’s price gouging is a reason for government action.
- By a greater than 2:1 margin, voters would be more likely to vote for a Republican for Congress this November if the Trump administration and GOP-led Congress took action on this issue.
The survey also looked into voter attitudes regarding other housing-related policy proposals, both backed by the Trump White House. On those issues the poll found:
- 84% of voters back the Trump administration proposal that would ban hidden rental fees and require landlords to disclose all rental costs up front before signing a lease.
- There is also widespread support (75%) for the Trump-supported prohibition on investors and corporations buying single-family homes to turn them into rental properties.
Finally, with the midterms fast approaching, the survey found voters laser-focused on affordability as the issue most impacting their upcoming vote.
- 21% of voters said affordability is the top issue driving their ballot choice, placing the issue ahead of immigration (17%), foreign policy (14%), and healthcare (11%).
- Affordability is more important to swing voters (28%) – voters who split their tickets and often decide close elections – and even higher rated among prospective first-time homebuyers (37%).
Read the full polling memo here.