WASHINGTON, DC – March 3, 2026 – 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. This partnership provides NFCC’s 49 member agencies with enhanced tools and streamlined access to credit scores to support millions of consumers nationwide.
To address the challenges of rising credit card balances, the NFCC has introduced Debt Reduction Options (DROs) — innovative repayment programs powered by FICO® Scores. These programs allow eligible consumers to repay 50–60% of their outstanding balances on sustainable terms, offering a safe alternative to for-profit debt settlement schemes.
Key Program Impacts:
- Increased Access: Initial pilots increased the number of consumers eligible for nonprofit debt repayment programs by an average of 18%.
- Debt Recovery: DROs help the NFCC recover more than one billion dollars annually in outstanding payments to creditors from distressed debtors.
- Proven Outcomes: Over an 18-month period, average participants saw credit scores improve by 50 points and revolving debt drop by $8,000.
- Financial Stability: The NFCC also launched the WealthBuilder Program, helping consumers complete debt repayment with at least $400 in savings.
For its achievements in expanding access to affordable debt solutions, the NFCC was awarded the 2026 FICO® Decision Award for Financial Inclusion.
“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.”
“NFCC turned American indebtedness into an opportunity for financial empowerment,” said Shrimanth Adla, senior director, credit risk strategy and analytics at 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 NFCC
Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving people’s financial well-being. With a nationwide network of NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving 50 states and all U.S. territories, NFCC nonprofit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, loans, housing decisions, and overall money management. For expert guidance and advice, call 800-388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org.
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.
