Average Credit Score Drops to 714 as Delinquencies Surge, Shares Tumble
FICO reported that the average U.S. credit score fell to 714 in October 2025, driven by a surge in student loan delinquencies to 11% (90+ days) and mortgage delinquencies rising to 4.8%. Shares slid sharply after PulteGroup publicly criticised credit reporting practices, triggering a sell-off in FICO stock.
1. Credit Score Trends
FICO announced that the average U.S. credit score declined to 714 in October 2025, down one point from April 2025, marking the first drop since the end of the pandemic-era on-ramp period for student loan reporting.
2. Student Loan Delinquency Impact
The report found 11% of student loan borrowers were 90 days or more delinquent as of October 2025, up from 0.8% in October 2024, and noted a 62-point average score decline for those with newly reported delinquencies.
3. Mortgage Delinquency Growth
Mortgage delinquencies rose to 4.8% for 30+ day late payments in October 2025, compared with 2.7% in October 2021, as fewer homeowners benefit from rising home equity and historically low interest rates.
4. Stock Reaction to PulteGroup Criticism
Shares slid sharply after homebuilder PulteGroup publicly criticised FICO's credit reporting methodology, sparking concerns among investors about potential regulatory scrutiny or revisions to scoring models.