The Black Mortgage Professional Alliance (BMPA) welcomes United Wholesale Mortgage's (UWM) announcement that it is removing its minimum credit score overlay on agency loans, effective immediately. BMPA supports changes that allow qualified borrowers to be evaluated on their full financial profile and expand access to responsible, sustainable paths to homeownership.
BMPA's advocacy is grounded in a simple principle: fair and transparent lending should give qualified consumers a meaningful opportunity to be considered. A single score should not stand in for a complete review of a borrower's circumstances. At the same time, expanding access must go hand in hand with prudent underwriting, clear standards and financing borrowers can sustain.
Under UWM's announcement, its Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loans, along with FHA, VA and USDA loans, will no longer have a UWM-imposed minimum credit score requirement. Eligibility will be determined through the automated underwriting system (AUS) under applicable agency guidelines. Credit scores will continue to be used for pricing, and AUS approval does not guarantee loan approval.
“This is meaningful progress because it gives the underwriting process room to consider the borrower's complete profile, not one number in isolation. BMPA has long advocated for fair, transparent and consistently applied lending practices. We welcome steps that responsibly expand access, and we will continue working to remove the barriers that keep qualified families from a fair opportunity to own a home.”
— Dr. Jennifer Gormer, Founder and CEO of BMPA
BMPA advances this mission through education, advocacy, professional development and partnerships that equip mortgage professionals to serve consumers effectively and responsibly. The barriers to homeownership are interconnected: credit access, underwriting overlays, affordability, down payment resources and access to trusted mortgage guidance can all shape whether a household can move forward. BMPA works with mortgage professionals, housing advocates, community leaders and strategic partners to address these barriers and create sustainable pathways to ownership.
The latest Census Bureau data underscore why this work matters. In the second quarter of 2026, the Black homeownership rate was 45.4%, compared with 74.5% for non-Hispanic White households — a gap of about 29 percentage points. BMPA remains committed to closing that gap and advancing homeownership as a pathway to financial stability, community investment and generational wealth.
About BMPA
The Black Mortgage Professional Alliance is a national alliance advancing Black homeownership and strengthening mortgage professionals through education, advocacy, mentorship and industry partnerships. BMPA works to expand equitable access to sustainable mortgage credit and close the Black homeownership gap.
Media contact: Admin@blackmortgageprofessionalalliance.net · www.blackmortgageprofessionalalliance.com
Homeownership-rate source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey, Q2 2026.