In this episode, we dive into the story of FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation), the data analytics giant founded in 1956 by Bill Fair and Earl Isaac. We trace the company's evolution from a partnership formed at the Stanford Research Institute to a publicly traded powerhouse headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. Discover how the general-purpose FICO score, debuted in 1989, became a fixture of the American economy, eventually determining mortgage qualifications for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We also examine the company's massive growth—reporting nearly $2 billion in revenue for 2025—driven by strategic acquisitions in software and risk management. Finally, we discuss the recent controversies facing the company, including Department of Justice inquiries and class action lawsuits alleging that FICO engages in monopolistic practices and charges artificially  ...