Fair Isaac refreshes the Classic FICO scoring model.

The Classic FICO credit-risk scoring model from air Isaac Corp., San Rafael, Calif., was modified in September, improving its predictive power by 5 to 15 percent, according to the company.

The changes will not affect important existing features, such as the score range of 300-850, the company adds.

The initiative is part of file company's periodic refreshment of file scoring model. The company expects tiffs revision to deliver greater performance upgrades than any previous redevelopment.

"We are confident that this update to the Classic FICO scoring model will provide superior risk performance across the entire spectrum of credit risk," says Ron Totario, the company's vice president of scoring solutions. "Also, it has been designed to be easy for lenders to adopt the new models without making major operational adjustments."

The Company says that the greatest increase in predictive power is expected to be concentrated in three consumer segments:

* Originations and new accounts.

* Borrowers who pose higher risk, often referred to as subprime borrowers.

* Borrowers with thin or young credit bureau files.

To make lender adoption easier and faster, the new research model retains the same scoring range, score reason codes, minimum scoring criteria, inquiry treatment and related model parameters.

For more information, go online at www.fairisaac.com.