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1. Account Details

• Account Number: A unique ID for each account. No special characters or spaces, just something we can use to identify it.

• Date Opened: When the account was originally started (e.g., 01/15/2023).

• Loan Terms: How long the loan or agreement lasts (e.g., 12 months, 5 years) and how often payments are due (e.g., Monthly, Annually).

2. Customer Information

• Name: Full name of the account holder (first, middle if available, and last).

• Social Security Number (SSN): A 9-digit number. If it’s not available, let us know.

• Date of Birth: The customer’s birthday (e.g., 03/22/1985).

• Address: Their current mailing address, including city, state, and ZIP code.

• Phone Number: A 10-digit phone number.

• Account Role: Let us know if they’re the main account holder, a co-signer, or something else (e.g., Individual, Joint).

3. Financial Details

• Credit Limit: If there’s a maximum amount available to the customer (e.g., for a line of credit), include that.

• Original Loan Amount: The original balance or loan amount when the account was opened.

• Monthly Payment: The regular payment due each month.

• Past Due Amount: How much (if anything) is overdue on the account.

• Payment History: If you have it, include a record of their past 24 months of payment activity (e.g., Current, 30 days late). If you don’t, we can figure this out from other info.

• Date of Last Payment: The last time they made a payment.

• Date Closed: If the account has been closed, let us know when.

See full Terms & Conditions here By using our Metro 2® software and services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, lawful consumer billing data, adhering to all credit reporting laws (e.g., FCRA, FACTA).

• Remain fully responsible for your data’s integrity and for addressing any disputes or corrections.

• Understand we only format and transmit data; we do not guarantee acceptance by credit bureaus.

If your business wants to report customer payment data to credit bureaus, you must first become an approved data furnisher. This means obtaining a subscriber code (member number) from each bureau before any data can be submitted. Below, we outline why this step is necessary and how to complete the registration process with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Why Do You Need a Subscriber Code?

Each credit bureau assigns a unique subscriber code to every company reporting data. This code ensures that:

• Your business is correctly identified as the source of the credit data.

• Consumers see the right creditor/lender name on their credit reports.

• You maintain compliance with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements.

• Disputes related to your reported data are properly routed back to your company for verification.

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Without a subscriber code, you cannot legally report customer payment data to any of the bureaus.

How to Register as a Data Furnisher with Each Bureau

Each credit bureau has its own process for approving new data furnishers. Below are the steps to apply for a subscriber code with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Experian Registration Process

1. Contact Experian’s Data Reporting Team: Call 1-800-831-5614 (Option 3) or visit their website to submit an inquiry.

2. Complete the Application: Experian will send an application form requesting details about your business and the type of data you plan to report.

3. Sign the Data Furnisher Agreement: This legally binds your business to Experian’s reporting guidelines and compliance rules.

4. Pass Business Verification: Experian may require proof of business legitimacy, including licenses or tax documents.

5. Receive Your Subscriber Code: Once approved, Experian will assign you a unique subscriber code and provide access to their data reporting tools.

6. Switch Labs will then setup a secure data transfer exchange to submit data in Metro 2 format using Experian’s secure file transfer system.

TransUnion Registration Process

1. Submit an Inquiry: Contact TransUnion’s Data Reporting Services via their website or by phone.

2. Complete the Data Furnisher Application: TransUnion will request details about your business operations and credit accounts.

3. Credentialing and Business Verification: TransUnion will conduct background checks, which may include an on-site inspection of your business premises.

4. Sign the Data Reporting Agreement: This contract outlines the responsibilities of your company when reporting data to TransUnion.

5. Receive Your TransUnion Subscriber Code: Once approved, you will be assigned a unique identifier for reporting.

6. Switch Labs will then submit Test Data in Metro 2 Format: Before going live, TransUnion requires all furnishers to submit a test file for approval.

Equifax Registration Process

1. Apply Online: Fill out the online Data Furnisher Application on Equifax’s website.

2. Business Review and Verification: Equifax will review your business credentials and may conduct a site visit to verify legitimacy.

3. Sign the Data Furnishing Agreement: This contract legally binds you to follow FCRA and Metro 2 compliance rules.

4. Receive Your Equifax Member Number: This code uniquely identifies your business when submitting data.

5. Set Up Data Transmission: Equifax requires Metro 2 formatted data to be submitted via secure FTP or web upload.

6. Test Your Data: Equifax requires a test file submission to confirm compliance before full reporting begins.

How We Help

Our Metro 2 reporting platform simplifies the process by handling all technical data formatting and secure submission on your behalf. However, each business must still obtain its own subscriber code directly from the bureaus before we can report on their behalf.

Need assistance? Contact us today for guidance on the registration process and how we can streamline your Metro 2 reporting!

Before we can begin submitting Metro 2 data on your behalf, you will need to obtain a subscriber code from each credit bureau. This code represents the accounts owned by your business and is required for compliance and proper reporting.

Below are links to each bureau’s registration process:

• Experian: Email: datareporting@experian.com | Phone: 1-800-831-5614 (Option 3)

• TransUnion: Email: cdm@transunion.com | Phone: 1-800-303-9664

• Equifax: Email: businessconnect@equifax.com | Phone: 1-888-202-4025

Exhibit 8 of the 2023 Credit Reporting Resource Guide (CRRG) provides details on Compliance Condition Codes (CCC) used for legal compliance in consumer credit reporting. These codes are applied to indicate specific conditions such as accounts closed at a consumer’s request or disputes raised under federal laws like the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

These codes should not be used in response to consumer disputes initiated by credit bureaus unless required under FDCPA obligations. Each CCC remains in place until another code replaces it or it is explicitly removed using the XR code.

Types of Compliance Condition Codes and Their Uses

One code, XA, indicates that an account has been closed at the consumer’s request. When reporting this code, the Date Closed field should reflect when the account was closed to further purchases.

The XB code applies when a consumer disputes account information directly with the data furnisher under FCRA. This code should remain only while the investigation is in progress and should no longer be reported once the dispute is resolved.

If a consumer continues to disagree with the results of an FCRA dispute investigation, the XC code should be used. This code signifies that the investigation is complete, but the consumer maintains their disagreement.

For cases where a consumer both requests to close an account and disputes the account under FCRA, the XD code should be used. If the dispute investigation is completed but the consumer still disagrees, the code should be updated to XE to reflect both the closure and the continued dispute.

The XF code is used when a consumer disputes an account under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), and the investigation is still in progress. If the investigation has been completed but the consumer disagrees with the results, the XG code should be applied.

For general disputes that have been investigated and completed, the XH code is used to indicate the resolution of any disputes under FCRA, FDCPA, or FCBA.

If a consumer both requests to close an account and disputes the account under FCBA, the XJ code should be reported. This reflects both actions happening at the same time.

The XR code is used to remove a previously reported Compliance Condition Code. This code should not be used as a default value. If no compliance code applies to an account, the field should simply be left blank rather than incorrectly assigning a code.

Reporting Guidelines for CCCs

Compliance Condition Codes should be reported every month as long as the condition applies. However, they can also be reported only once, and the system will retain them until another code is applied or the XR code is used to remove them.

If a dispute is resolved, the original dispute codes such as XB or XF must be removed or replaced with the appropriate resolution code like XH or XC. If dispute codes remain active after resolution, it can create compliance issues and mislead credit reporting agencies.

Example of How CCCs Are Reported Over Time

For a case where a consumer requests to close their account, the XA code is initially reported. If the consumer later disputes information about the account under FCRA while it is closed, the code changes to XD to reflect both actions. Once the dispute investigation is completed, the code should either return to XA if the closure remains relevant or be replaced with XH if the dispute itself was resolved.

If a consumer disputes information without closing the account, the XB code would be used while the dispute is being reviewed. If they still disagree after the investigation is completed, the code would change to XC.

For accounts closed and disputed under FCBA, the process is similar, but the codes XF and XJ are used instead.

If at any point a previously reported CCC no longer applies, the XR code should be submitted to remove it.

Key Takeaways

1. CCCs indicate special conditions related to consumer credit accounts, including disputes and account closures.

2. These codes should be actively maintained and updated based on the status of disputes or consumer requests.

3. The XR code should be used only to remove a previously reported CCC, and if no compliance condition applies, the field should be left blank.

4. Keeping dispute codes active after resolution can create compliance risks, so they must be updated properly.

For more details, refer to Exhibit 8 of the 2023 CRRG.

This exhibit provides an alphabetic listing of Account Type Codes and their corresponding Portfolio Types. These codes are essential for accurate credit reporting.

Line of Credit (C)

This portfolio type includes credit lines that allow borrowing up to a set limit.

• 9B – Business Line (Personally Guaranteed)

• 7A – Commercial Line of Credit (Individually Liable)

• 89 – Home Equity Line of Credit

• 15 – Personal Line of Credit (Unsecured) (Note: This was incorrectly mentioned before as child support)

• 8B – Deposit Account with Overdraft Protection

• 43 – Debit Card with Overdraft Protection

• 47 – Credit Line Secured

• 0A – Time Share Loan

• 01 – Unsecured Loan

• 02 – Secured Loan

Installment (I)

This portfolio type consists of fixed-term loans that require regular payments.

• 00 – Auto Loan

• 3A – Auto Lease

• 10 – Business Loan

• 6A – Commercial Installment Loan (Individually Liable)

• 95 – Attorney Fees Loan (Unsecured)

• 12 – Education Loan

• 06 – Installment Sales Contract

• 13 – Lease Loan (Non-Auto)

• 91 – Debt Consolidation Loan

• 20 – Note Loan

• 11 – Recreational Merchandise Loan

• 5A – Junior Liens and Non-Purchase Money Real Estate Loans

• 04 – Home Improvement Loan

• 0F – Construction Loan

• 6D – Home Equity Loan

• 17 – Manufactured Housing Loan

• 0A – Time Share Loan

• 9A – Secured Home Improvement Loan

• 01 – Unsecured Loan

• 02 – Secured Loan

Mortgage (M)

This portfolio type includes real estate loans where property is used as collateral.

• 26 – Conventional Real Estate Mortgage (Including Purchase Money First)

• 19 – FHA Real Estate Mortgage

• 6B – Commercial Mortgage Loan (Individually Liable)

• 08 – Real Estate Loan (Specific Type Unknown)

• 5A – Junior Liens and Non-Purchase Money Real Estate Loans

• 2C – USDA Real Estate Mortgage Loan

• 25 – VA Real Estate Mortgage Loan

Open (O)

This portfolio type includes accounts requiring full payment each cycle or fulfilling specific financial obligations.

• 93 – Child Support Accounts

• 48 – Collection Agency/Attorney Accounts

• 29 – Rental Agreements (Residential and Business Rental)

• 77 – Returned Check Loans (Reported by Collection Agencies, Debt Buyers, and Check Guarantee Companies)

• 4D – Telecommunications/Cellular Loans

• 50 – Family Support Loans

• 75 – Government Benefit Loans

• 92 – Utility Company Loans

• 90 – Medical Debt

• 02 – Secured Loan

Revolving (R)

This portfolio type includes credit accounts where balances can be carried over month to month.

• 07 – Retail Store Charge Accounts (Used by the Retail Store Industry)

• 18 – Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.)

• 8A – Business Credit Cards (Individually Liable)

• 37 – Combined Credit Plans (e.g., Multiple Cards on One Bill)

• 43 – Debit Cards Backed by a Credit Line

• 0G – Flexible Spending Credit Cards (No Preset Limit)

• 2A – Secured Credit Cards (Funds Deposited to Cover Defaults)

Important Rules for Reporting Account Type Codes

1. Account Type Codes must be consistent for an account unless it undergoes a significant change such as refinancing or conversion.

2. Closed vs. Open Accounts:

• Closed accounts should be reported as such when they are no longer available for transactions.

• If an account is paid but still open, report it with Account Status 11 (current) and the correct Account Type Code.

3. Charge-Offs and Collections:

• If an account is charged off, it must be reported with the appropriate Account Status Code (97 for charge-offs, 93 for collections).

• Debt buyers and collection agencies must report the original creditor name in the K1 Segment.

4. Credit Cards and Revolving Accounts:

• For credit cards, report the highest credit utilized, not the original loan amount.

• The Date Closed should indicate when the account was last available for purchases.

5. Installment and Mortgage Loans:

• The original loan amount must be reported excluding interest.

• Home equity loans should be reported separately from first mortgage loans.

6. Obsolete Account Type Codes:

• The following codes are no longer valid and should not be reported:

• 22 – Secured by Household Goods

• 23 – Secured by Household Goods & Other Collateral

• 1C – Household Goods

• These codes were deprecated in September 2011 and should be replaced with valid modern codes.

7. Special Cases:

• Rental Agreements should only be reported if monthly payments are due and the consumer is obligated.

• Returned Check Loans must include the check date as the “Date Opened”.