Nov 5 (Reuters) - Fair Isaac Corp (FICO) FICO.N reported a higher fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, driven by robust demand for its scores business.
Analysts say loan demand has begun to pick up as the U.S. Federal Reserve cuts benchmark lending rates, a shift expected to benefit FICO and other companies that depend on lenders' credit assessments before approving loans.
Rising delinquencies have prompted banks to tighten standards and step up credit checks on customers.
Revenue at its scores business came in at $311.6 million in the three months ended September 30, up 25% from a year earlier.
Founded in 1956, the company is best known for its FICO Score, the standard measure of consumer credit risk used by banks, credit card issuers, mortgage lenders and auto loan providers.
The FICO Score is used by 90% of top U.S. lenders and is available in more than 40 countries.
It posted an adjusted profit of $7.74 per share in the fourth quarter versus $6.54 per share in the prior-year period.
Overall revenue rose to $515.8 million from $453.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
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