Key Takeaways

• Always-on products return on every report you pull; on-demand products return only when you request them.
• Lenders can keep multiple scoring models on their account without paying for every model on every pull.
• Bureau add-ons like fraud alerts and income estimates work best when pulled for the files that need them.
• On-demand ordering adds workflow flexibility and lowers your cost per report.

Most lenders pay for more credit data than they ever look at. A second credit score comes back on every report even though underwriters check it on only a handful of files. A fraud alert or income estimator rides along on every pull because it was turned on once and never turned off.

That made sense when a single scoring model ruled the market and add-on products were rare. It makes much less sense now. Lenders have more scoring models to choose from than ever, the bureaus offer a growing list of add-on products, and the cost of pulling credit keeps climbing.

The fix isn't to give up access to these tools. It's to change how you order them. 

In this post, we'll explain the difference between "always-on" and "on-demand" credit data, and how on-demand ordering gives you more flexibility in your workflow while keeping your costs under control.

Always-On vs. On-Demand: What's the Difference?

When you set up a credit reporting account, every scoring model and add-on product is configured to return in one of two ways.

Always-on. The product comes back automatically on every report you pull. Set up two scoring models this way, and every single pull returns both scores, and you pay for both, whether you needed the second one or not.

On-demand. The product is available on your account, but it only comes back when you specifically request it for a given pull. In the credit reporting industry, this is often called ordering by "keyword," because the product is triggered by a code attached to that specific request. 

The idea is simple: everything stays within reach, and you only pull what a file actually calls for.

Think of it like a restaurant menu. Always-on is a fixed-price buffet where you pay for every dish whether you eat it or not. On-demand is ordering à la carte.

Use Case 1: Access to Multiple Scoring Models

For years, many lenders only needed one credit score. That's changing fast.

After a limited rollout that began in April 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac opened VantageScore 4.0 to all approved lenders in September, giving them a choice between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 for conventional loans.

FICO Score 10T is also approved for future use. Outside of mortgage, auto lenders, card issuers, and personal loan providers have long worked with a mix of FICO and VantageScore versions depending on their investors, partners, and internal risk models.

So it's natural for a lender to want more than one scoring model on their account. But that doesn't mean they need every model on every report.

Here's a common scenario. A lender uses one model as its primary score for underwriting. A second model is only needed when:

• A specific loan program or investor requires it
• A file sits close to an approval cutoff and the team wants a second view
• The primary model can't generate a score for a borrower with a thin credit file

With both models set to always-on, the lender pays for two scores on every pull, even though the second score matters on a fraction of files. With the second model set to on-demand, the primary score comes back every time and the second is pulled only when one of those situations comes up.

The rules themselves point toward this kind of flexibility. Under the GSE guidelines, a lender that chooses VantageScore 4.0 for a loan must use that same model for every borrower on that loan. The decision is made file by file, which is exactly how on-demand ordering works.

Use Case 2: Bureau Add-On Products

The same logic applies to the add-on products the credit bureaus offer alongside the core report. These tools can add real value, but usually in specific situations rather than on every file.

Some examples of how lenders put add-ons to work on demand:

• Fraud and identity alerts: Pulled when an application shows red flags, such as a mismatched address or a recently opened email account
• Income or employment estimates: Pulled when a borrower's stated income needs a quick check before moving to full verification
• Trended credit data: Pulled when the team wants to see whether a borrower pays balances down over time or carries them month to month
• Alternative or expanded data: Pulled when a traditional report comes back thin and the lender wants more information before making a decision

In each case, the add-on earns its cost when it answers a real question about the file. Turned on for every report, it becomes background noise you pay for on files that never needed it.

Three Benefits of On-Demand Ordering

Moving secondary scores and add-ons to on-demand ordering changes how your team works with credit data in three important ways.

1. More Flexibility in Your Workflow

On-demand ordering lets your process follow the file instead of a fixed template. Your team can start with the essentials, then add a second score or an add-on product only when the situation calls for it. If underwriting guidelines or investor requirements change, you adjust which products you request without rebuilding your account setup.

2. Customization by Product Line and Stage

Different parts of your business need different data. A prequalification flow might only need a single score from a soft pull. A full application for a larger loan might call for a second model and a fraud check. On-demand ordering lets you match the data to the product line, the loan size, or the stage of the process, all from one account.

3. Lower Costs per Report

Every score and add-on on a report carries a cost. When those products return automatically, you pay for them on every pull, including the many files where no one looks at them. Credit data costs have risen sharply across the industry in recent years, and that trend has drawn attention from lenders, trade groups, and lawmakers alike. 

On-demand ordering doesn't change what any single product costs. It changes how often you pay for it, so your spend tracks the files that actually need the extra data.

When Always-On Still Makes Sense

On-demand isn't the right choice for every product. Always-on is often the better fit when:

• A product is required on every file by your investors, regulators, or internal policy
• You use a product on nearly every application anyway, so on-demand ordering would add a step without saving much
• Your team needs a fully automated decision flow with no manual choices

Most lenders end up with a mix: core products set to always-on, and secondary scores and situational add-ons set to on-demand. The goal is to make that choice on purpose, product by product, instead of turning everything on by default.

Pull What You Need, When You Need It

Access to multiple scoring models and bureau add-ons gives your team better tools for making credit decisions. On-demand ordering makes sure you're paying for those tools only when they're doing work for you.

Soft Pull Solutions can help you review your current setup, identify which products you're paying for on every report, and decide which ones belong on demand. Contact our team to build a credit workflow that fits the way you actually lend.