Most retention bonuses are paid at completion of the term as an incentive to stay, without a lockin after payment.

In those cases you would get the $5k to $10k after the retention period.

Majority yes use FICO, but a large number of lenders use Vantage, especially in near prime lending, though not for everything.

Capone, Chase, Upstart all use it to an extent for example.

Hey an accurate answer. nice.

No, its not different by bereau.

FICO is an independent company that creates credit scores algorithms, FICO 1,2,3,4 etc. Beureau's provide credit reports, and then sell the scores using their credit reports and the FICO algorithm. The algorithm used is determined by the lender when they purchase a score.

There are different score versions for two reasons.

(1) Different scores are better for different purposes. Some are used primarily for auto, others mortgages, other credit cards, etc. So lenders select what they want.

(2) Older scores are sunsetted, new ones are created that do a better job then older ones.

Vantage is an alternative algorithm developed by a consortium of beaureus because they are tired of paying FICO.

Vantage score is petty commonly used by lenders and credit card companies nowadays.