The Real Eisman Playbook
The Real Eisman Playbook
Steve Eisman
FICO’s Monopoly is Fading & Consumers Are the Winners w/ Kelsey Zhu | The Real Eisman Playbook Ep 59
1 hour 14 minutes Posted May 11, 2026 at 4:06 pm.
The Real Eisman Playbook Premium
Intro
An Overview of the FICO Situation
Destroying a Monopoly
FICO vs Vantage Pricing
The Credit Bureaus
Kelsey's Call with a Private Mortgage Lender
Outside the Mortgage Industry
Going Back to the Price Increase
Monopolies vs Duopolies
Good & Bad Business Models
Businesses of the Credit Bureaus
How AI Factors In
Verisk's Business Model
MSCI
FactSet
Summarizing the FICO Situation & Lessons Learned
Outro
0:00
1:14:29
Download MP3
Show notes
On episode 59 of The Real Eisman Playbook, Steve Eisman sits down with Kelsey Zhu of Autonomous to discuss the collapse of FICO's decades-long monopoly on credit scores and what it means for homebuyers, lenders, and investors. Kelsey breaks down how FICO raised its mortgage score pricing from 60 cents to $10 per pull and why that aggressive pricing opened the door for Vantage. They also explore the broader financial data sector and discuss how AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for every company in the group.
Visit https://realeismanplaybook.com/ to sign up for our mailing list.
Subscribe 👉🏻https://www.youtube.com/@RealEismanPlaybook?sub_confirmation=1
Connect with Steve Eisman and access all things The Eisman Playbook:
🌐 https://linktr.ee/realeismanplaybook
→ Follow on socials, watch episodes, and get the latest updates — all in one place.
Disclaimer: The financial opinions expressed are for information purposes only. The opinions expressed by the hosts and participants are not an attempt to influence specific trading behavior, investments, or strategies. Past performance does not necessarily predict future outcomes. No specific results or profits are assured when relying on this content.
Before making any investment or trade, evaluate its suitability for your circumstances and consider consulting your own financial or investment advisor. The financial products discussed in ‘The Eisman Playbook' carry a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for many investors. If you have uncertainties, it's advisable to seek professional advice. Remember that trading involves a risk to your capital, so only invest money you can afford to lose. Derivatives are unsuitable for all investors and involve the risk of losing more than the amount originally deposited and any profit you might have made. This communication is not a recommendation or offer to buy, sell, or retain any specific investment or service.
Copyright ©2025 Steve Eisman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices