NFCC Increases Debt Relief Program Eligibility While Recovering $1 Billion Using FICO Score Open Access Program

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03/03/2026 - 08:00 AM

America's largest nonprofit credit counseling organization launches new programs to help consumers pay off debt affordably and avoid costly debt settlement scams

BOZEMAN, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FICO (NYSE: FICO)

Highlights:

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and its Member Agencies are participating in the FICO^® Score Open Access for Credit & Financial Counseling Program to power innovative Debt Reduction Options (DROs) that allow consumers to repay 50-60% of outstanding debt on sustainable terms
Over a year and a half, the average participant’s credit score improved 50 points and revolving debt dropped $8,000
Eight major creditors and debt buyers are participating in DROs, providing a nonprofit alternative to harmful for-profit debt settlement schemes
NFCC has won a 2026 FICO^® Decision Award for Financial Inclusion

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation’s largest nonprofit credit counseling network, is expanding access to safe, affordable debt relief through its ongoing collaboration with FICO and the FICO^® Score Open Access for Credit & Financial Counseling (C&FC) Program. The partnership provides NFCC’s 49 member agencies with enhanced tools, streamlined access to credit scores, and greater financial wellness resources for millions of consumers nationwide.

With credit card balances up 34% since 2021, many households are struggling with rising debt, limited savings, and high interest rates. To address these challenges, the NFCC has introduced Debt Reduction Options (DROs) — innovative repayment programs powered by FICO® Scores that allow eligible consumers to repay 50–60% of their outstanding balances on sustainable terms. DROs offer a safe alternative to for-profit debt settlement, which often leaves consumers deeper in financial distress.

Initial pilots show strong results, increasing the number of consumers eligible for nonprofit debt repayment programs by an average of 18%. To date, eight major creditors and debt buyers have adopted DROs, with thousands of consumers enrolled.

“Our mission is to open safe and affordable pathways toward financial health, and this collaboration with FICO helps us accelerate that work,” said NFCC CEO Mike Croxson. “FICO Score Open Access for Credit & Financial Counseling Program strengthens the tools NFCC-Certified Credit Counselors use to provide comprehensive education and practical, affordable repayment pathways. It’s about restoring trust and giving more people a clear route from debt to stability.”

According to a study conducted by Ohio State University, NFCC’s holistic counseling model has been statistically shown to improve financial outcomes for years after the session, including lowering total debt, boosting credit scores, and reducing delinquencies. Additionally, DROs help the NFCC recover more than one billion dollars annually in outstanding payments to creditors from distressed debtors who may have otherwise turned to bankruptcy or settlement.

Over a year and a half, the average participant’s credit score improved 50 points and revolving debt dropped $8,000.

NFCC also launched the WealthBuilder Program, designed to help consumers complete debt repayment with at least $400 in savings, a milestone linked to long term financial stability.

“NFCC’s recognition with a 2026 FICO Decision Award reflects the meaningful impact their nonprofit counseling model is having on consumers nationwide,” said Geoff Smith, vice president of B2C Scores at FICO. “Their work has expanded access to affordable, consumer safe debt solutions for households under significant financial strain. It’s a strong example of how FICO’s trusted analytics and NFCC’s mission driven leadership can come together to advance real financial inclusion.”

For its achievements, NFCC won a 2026 FICO^® Decision Award for Financial Inclusion.

“NFCC turned American indebtedness into an opportunity for financial empowerment,” said Shrimanth Adla, senior director, credit risk strategy and analytics, Comcast and one of the FICO Decision Awards judges. “Recovering millions of dollars for creditors while helping 18% more consumers access debt relief proves that smart technology and compassionate counseling can create win-win solutions in even the most challenging financial situations.”

About The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC):

Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving people’s financial well-being. Through a nationwide network of NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving all 50 states and U.S. territories, NFCC advocates for and empowers millions of consumers to take control of their finances. Its nonprofit counselors provide personalized guidance on credit card debt, loans, housing decisions, money management, and overall financial health. For expert guidance and more information, call 800-388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org.

Learn more at nfcc.org or visit ficoscore.com/cfc for information about the FICO^® Score Open Access for Credit & Financial Counseling Program.

About the FICO® Decision Awards

The FICO Decision Awards recognize organizations that are achieving remarkable success using FICO solutions. A panel of independent judges with deep industry expertise evaluates nominations based upon measurable improvement in key metrics; demonstrated use of best practices; project scale, depth and breadth; and innovative uses of technology. The 2026 judges are:

Sam Abadir, research director, risk & compliance, IDC Financial Insights
Shrimanth Adla, senior director, credit risk strategy and analytics, Comcast
Manoj Agrawal, group editor, Banking Frontiers
Courtney Haan, strategic product manager for fraud products, Velera (Previous Winner)
Shelly Kramer, principal analyst at Kramer & Company and theCube Research
Andy Lawrie, credit risk tech lead at Nationwide Building Society (Previous Winner)
Lisa Morgan, technology journalist and contributor at InformationWeek
Déborah Oliveira, founder and editor-in-chief at IT Forum

The winners of the FICO Decision Awards will be spotlighted at and win tickets to FICO® World 2026, May 19-22, 2026, at the Signia By Hilton hotel, Orlando, Florida.

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 80 countries do everything from protecting 4 billion payment cards from fraud, to improving financial inclusion, to increasing supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top US lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and has been made available in over 40 other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency.

Learn more at https://www.fico.com/en.

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