How FICO Makes Money by Licensing Scores

Welcome to Market Mondays! In this thought-provoking clip, Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Ian Dunlap break down the fundamentals of FICO—your adult "transcript"—and explore why understanding your credit score is more important than ever. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey, rebuilding, or leveling up, this segment’s “building block, corner” is packed with essential insights! Rashad Bilal shares how explaining FICO to his son made him realize that your credit score is truly your adult report card, shaping everything from your ability to buy a home, lease an apartment, land a job, or finance a car. Troy Millings calls FICO your “financial trust score,” noting how crucial it’s become even for career opportunities. Ian Dunlap points out that FICO isn’t just a score—it’s a public company (Fair Isaac Corporation), and its stock performance tells a story of monopoly power and skyrocketing growth since its IPO in 1987. Dig into the business side as Ian Dunlap reveals how FICO actually earns its billions by licensing the credit score algorithms, not directly selling scores, and how economic cycles—like low interest rates—can supercharge its profits. You’ll hear about how FICO’s stock price exploded after 2010, paralleling changes in credit reporting’s importance after the Great Recession and new legislation. The trio also ties credit’s cultural impact to music, echoing Wu-Tang’s “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”—but now, as Rashad Bilal says, “Credit rules everything around me.” Learn how the shift to a cashless society has made understanding and managing your credit more vital than ever. They even shout out iconic artists like Clipse and discuss how staying sharp and following trends (even in music!) intersects with financial literacy and generational wealth. Whether you’re curious about why FICO matters, how its monopoly works, what’s changed since the ‘80s, or how credit touches every aspect of modern life, this clip delivers the essentials. Tune in for practical knowledge, cultural connections, and expert takes from Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Ian Dunlap. *Don’t miss:*

• The hidden monopoly behind FICO’s business
• Why your credit score shapes your future, career, and finances
• How shifts in culture and technology made credit king
• FICO’s stock market success story
• Real-world tips on building credit and wealth

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