Hi dookdig,
Yes, each CRA does have a slightly different flavor FICO.
For most folks, there's invariably some inconsistencies with what's on your reports - so any changes may have a somewhat different impact on different CRA's. Although it may be different for you. If the accounts on your CRA's are perfectly identical you are perhaps fortunate and definitely in the minority. For example, DH has a slightly different AAofA on each CRA because of some inconsistencies in accounts reporting. And he has a somewhat different mix of accounts on each CRA. So do I. Although it's hard to detect unless you lay it all out (in our case on a spreadsheet). Then what looked identical originally now looks unique - and sometimes in ways that impact a FICO score.
Also accounts update at different times on different CRA's - although you mention that your new accounts had reported on both EQ & TU.
I understand your frustration with the point drop. I've not been hit 18 points when opening two new accounts - I'm sure you were somewhat surprised. But the good news is you held on to your FICO points with TU. Say yay!! And if your EQ FICO drop was due to the new accounts along with a drop in AAofA and inquiries, you will gain that back in the next several months.
I'm always a big fan of being grateful TU didn't drop rather than being concerned that EQ did. FICO is profoundly complex - and anytime we (I'm talking about me here) anticipate a simple pattern in FICO score changes, we're likely to be surprised. Just keep on doing the right things and your scores will trend toward the positive.
Congrats on being on top of your FICO scores and best wishes as you continue moving forward!
