W2 Capitalist | Earn. Invest. Repeat.

Have you ever wondered where the FICO credit score system came from? It’s easy to assume it’s always been a part of the financial world, but the reality is far more interesting. In this episode, we journey back to 1956, when two engineers, Bill Fair and Earl Isaac, saw a flawed system where credit decisions were based on personal judgments, biases, and inconsistent practices. Determined to change the game, they founded Fair, Isaac, and Company—now known as FICO—on the principle that data, not opinions, should drive financial decisions. We’ll explore how their vision took over three decades to fully materialize, leading to the creation of the FICO score in 1989. By standardizing creditworthiness evaluations, Fair and Isaac’s system brought transparency and consistency to the credit world—benefiting both lenders and consumers. But like any system, FICO isn’t perfect. While it has leveled the playing field for many, it also encourages certain behaviors and can feel like a complex puzzle. Join me as we uncover th