How To Read The Metro2 Format
Metro2 Format is the current standard format for reporting credit. It meets all the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting
Act (FCRA), the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). It allows most accurate and
complete information on consumers' credit history.
Collect! provides the internal functions to report credit correctly using Metro2 in the 426 character format. However, there are
a few rules to be handled by you as you report your debtors to the bureaus.
- Report all accounts on a monthly basis.
- Report all accounts with a final status code when they are ultimately paid or closed.
- Credit grantors must report accounts at the close of each cycle.
When you run credit bureau reporting in Collect! a file is produced for you to send to the credit bureau. This file has one
long line of data for each account that is reported. It is actually made up of several segments. Each one is described below.
Select the link to open the detailed page for each segment.
Metro2 Format - Header Record
The Header Record is the first segment of a credit reporting file. It contains information necessary to identify the
reporting entity or agency. It also identifies the credit bureau the file has been produced for and the reporting date.
In the image below, the fields in the Header Record are partitioned and identified. Actually, this is one long string of data
in the reporting file.
In the tables below:
- Field is the Metro2 Format Field number
- Field Name is taken from the Metro2 Format. Refer to the Field Number and Field Name when you are trying to determine
CBR requirements for particular areas.
- Length and Position can be used as reference points when you are examining actual data in the report as Collect!
generates it.
- Source is the field in Collect! where the information is pulled from, or some sort of internal value, as indicated.
| Header Record |
| Field | Field Name | Length | Position | Source |
| 1 | Record Descriptor | 4 | 1-4 | Line Length |
| 2 | Record Identifier | 6 | 5-10 | Header |
| 3 | Cycle Number | 2 | 11-12 | Cycle Reporting -- BLANK |
| 4 | CCA Identifier | 10 | 13-22 | BLANK |
| 5 | Equifax Identifier | 10 | 23-32 | Credit Bureau Setup Equifax Credit Grantor # |
| 6 | Experian Identifier | 5 | 33-37 | Credit Bureau Setup Experian Control # |
| 7 | Trans Union Identifier | 10 | 38-47 | Credit Bureau Setup TU Credit Grantor # |
| 8 | Activity Date | 8 | 48-55 | Last update to account balances |
| 9 | Date Created | 8 | 56-63 | Credit Report Date |
| 10 | Program Date | 8 | 64-71 | Internal Program Date |
| 11 | Program Revision Date | 8 | 73-79 | Internal Program Date |
| 12 | Reporter Name | 40 | 80-119 | Company Details Name |
| 13 | Reported Address | 96 | 120-215 | Company Details Address Lines 1-3 |
| 14 | Reporter Phone | 10 | 216-225 | Company Details Phone |
| 15 | Reserved | 201 | 226-426 | Program Creator and Version -- Help About |
The next table clearly displays each database field name from Collect! to help you determine more easily where
information is coming from.
| Header Record Database Fields |
| Metro2 Field Name | Database Form and Field | Length | Position in Header |
| Equifax Identifier | Credit Bureau Setup Equifax Credit Grantor # | 10 | 23-32 |
| Experian Identifier | Credit Bureau Setup Experian Control # | 5 | 33-37 |
| Trans Union Identifier | Credit Bureau Setup TU Credit Grantor # | 10 | 38-47 |
| Reporter Name | Company Details Name | 40 | 80-119 |
| Reported Address | Company Details Address Lines 1-3 | 96 | 120-215 |
| Reporter Phone | Company Details Phone | 10 | 216-225 |
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
Metro2 Format - Base Segment
The Base Segment is the second segment of a credit reporting file. It contains the primary consumer's identification
information and the account transactional information.
In the image below, the fields in the Base Segment are partitioned and identified. Actually, this is one long
string of data in the reporting file.
In the tables below:
- Field is the Metro2 Format Field number
- Field Name is taken from the Metro2 Format. Refer to the Field Number and Field Name when you are trying to
determine CBR requirements for particular areas.
- Length and Position can be used as reference points when you are examining actual data in the report as
Collect! generates it.
- Source is the field in Collect! where the information is pulled from, or some sort of internal value, as indicated.
| Base Segment |
| Field | Field Name | Length | Position | Source |
| 1 | Record Descriptor | 4 | 1-4 | Record length |
| 2 | Processing Indicator | 1 | 5 | Processing instruction |
| 3 | Time Stamp | 14 | 6-19 | Contact created Date and Time |
| 4 | Correction Indicator | 1 | 20 | Internal |
| 5 | Identification Number | 20 | 21-40 | Credit Bureau Setup Identification # |
| 6 | Cycle Identifier | 2 | 41-42 | Cycle Reporting -- BLANK |
| 7 | Consumer Account Number | 30 | 43-72 | Debtor File # or Client Account # |
| 8 | Portfolio Type | 1 | 73 | Credit Report Details Portfolio |
| 9 | Account Type | 2 | 74-75 | Credit Report Details Account Type |
| 10 | Date Opened | 8 | 76-83 | Debtor Listed Date |
| 11 | Credit Limit | 9 | 84-92 | ZERO FILL |
| 12 | Highest Credit or Original Loan Amount | 9 | 93-101 | Debtor Principal |
| 13 | Terms Duration | 3 | 102-104 | 1 |
| 14 | Terms Frequency | 1 | 105 | BLANK |
| 15 | Scheduled Monthly Payment Amount | 9 | 106-114 | ZERO FILL |
| 16 | Actual Payment Amount | 9 | 115-123 | Payment Transactions Amount |
| 17A | Account Status | 2 | 124-125 | Credit Report Details Status Code |
| 17B | Payment Rating | 1 | 126 | BLANK |
| 18 | Payment History Profile | 24 | 127-150 | B - No Payment History |
| 19 | Special Comment | 2 | 151-152 | Credit Report Details Special Comments |
| 20 | Compliance Condition Code | 2 | 153-154 | Credit Report Details Condition Code |
| 21 | Current Balance | 9 | 155-163 | Debtor Owing |
| 22 | Amount Past Due | 9 | 164-172 | ZERO FILL |
| 23 | Original Charge-off Amount | 9 | 173-181 | ZERO FILL |
| 24 | Billing Date | 8 | 182-189 | Credit Report Date |
| 25 | FCRA Compliance/Date of First Delinquency | 8 | 190-197 |
Debtor Delnqnt or zero filled if Current |
| 26 | Date Closed | 8 | 198-205 | Metro Contact Date or zero filled if not Closed |
| 27 | Date of Last Payment | 8 | 206-213 | Debtor Payment |
| 28 | Reserved | 17 | 214-230 | BLANK |
| 29 | Consumer Transaction Type | 1 | 231 | Internal |
| 30 | Surname | 25 | 232-256 | Debtor Name |
| 31 | First Name | 20 | 257-276 | Debtor Name |
| 32 | Middle Name | 20 | 277-296 | BLANK |
| 33 | Generation Code | 1 | 297 | Debtor Generation |
| 34 | Social Security Number | 9 | 298-306 | Debtor SSN# |
| 35 | Date of Birth | 8 | 307-314 | Debtor DOB |
| 36 | Telephone Number | 10 | 315-324 | Debtor Home |
| 37 | ECOA Code | 1 | 325 | Credit Report Details Association Code (ECOA) |
| 38 | Consumer Information Indicator | 2 | 326-327 | Credit Report Details Indicator |
| 39 | Country Code | 2 | 328-329 | Debtor Country |
| 40 | First Line of Address | 32 | 330-361 | Debtor Address |
| 41 | Second Line of Address | 32 | 362-393 | Debtor Address Line 2 |
| 42 | City | 20 | 394-413 | Debtor City |
| 43 | State | 2 | 414-415 | Debtor State |
| 44 | Postal/Zip Code | 9 | 416-424 | Debtor Zip |
| 45 | Address Indicator | 1 | 425 | Debtor Address OK |
| 46 | Residence Code | 1 | 426 | BLANK |
The next table clearly displays each database field name from Collect! to help you determine more easily where
information is coming from.
| Base Segment Record Database Fields |
| Metro2 Field Name | Database Form and Field | Length | Position |
| Identification Number | Credit Bureau Setup Identification # | 20 | 21-40 |
| Consumer Account Number | Debtor File # or Client Account # | 30 | 43-72 |
| Portfolio Type | Credit Report Details Portfolio | 1 | 73 |
| Account Type | Credit Report Details Account Type | 2 | 74-75 |
| Date Opened | Debtor Listed Date | 8 | 76-83 |
| Highest Credit or Original Loan Amount | Debtor Principal | 9 | 93-101 |
| Actual Payment Amount | Payment Transactions Amount | 9 | 115-123 |
| Account Status | Credit Report Details Status Code | 2 | 124-125 |
| Special Comment | Credit Report Details Special Comments | 2 | 151-152 |
| Compliance Condition Code | Credit Report Details Condition Code | 2 | 153-154 |
| Current Balance | Debtor Owing | 9 | 155-163 |
| FCRA Compliance/Date of First Delinquency | Debtor Delnqnt | 8 | 190-197 |
| Date of Last Payment | Debtor Payment | 8 | 206-213 |
| Surname | Debtor Name | 25 | 232-256 |
| First Name | Debtor Name | 20 | 257-276 |
| Social Security Number | Debtor SSN# | 9 | 298-306 |
| Date of Birth | Debtor DOB | 8 | 307-314 |
| Telephone Number | Debtor Home | 10 | 315-324 |
| ECOA Code | Credit Report Details Association Code (ECOA) | 1 | 325 |
| Consumer Information Indicator | Credit Report Details Indicator | 2 | 326-327 |
| Country Code | Debtor Country | 2 | 328-329 |
| First Line of Address | Debtor Address | 32 | 330-361 |
| Second Line of Address | Debtor Address Line 2 | 32 | 362-393 |
| City | Debtor City | 20 | 394-413 |
| State | Debtor State | 2 | 414-415 |
| Postal/Zip Code | Debtor Zip | 9 | 416-424 |
| Address Indicator | Debtor Address OK | 1 | 425 |
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
Metro2 Format - J1 Segment
The J1 Segment accommodates the requirements of ECOA when reporting credit. It is included in the reporting file if
the cosigner is being reported. The J1 Segment applies when the associated consumer resides at the same address as
the individual being reported. It is included every time the account is reported.
In the image below, the fields in the J1 Segment are partitioned and identified. Actually, this is one long string of data
in the reporting file.
In the tables below:
- Field is the Metro2 Format Field number
- Field Name is taken from the Metro2 Format. Refer to the Field Number and Field Name when you are trying to
determine CBR requirements for particular areas.
- Length and Position can be used as reference points when you are examining actual data in the report as Collect!
generates it.
- Source is the field in Collect! where the information is pulled from, or some sort of internal value, as indicated.
| J1 Segment | Same Address |
| Field | Field Name | Length | Position | Source |
| 1 | Segment Identifier | 2 | 1-2 | J1 |
| 2 | Consumer Transaction Type | 1 | 3 | Internal |
| 3 | Surname | 25 | 4-28 | Debtor Cosigner Name |
| 4 | First Name | 20 | 29-48 | Debtor Cosigner Name |
| 5 | Middle Name | 20 | 49-68 | BLANK |
| 6 | Generation Code | 1 | 69 | Debtor Cosigner Generation |
| 7 | Social Security Number | 9 | 70-78 | Debtor Cosigner SSN |
| 8 | Date of Birth | 8 | 79-86 | Debtor Cosigner DOB |
| 9 | Telephone Number | 10 | 87-96 | Debtor Cosigner Home |
| 10 | ECOA Code | 1 | 97 | Debtor Cosigner ECOA |
| 11 | Consumer Information Indicator | 2 | 98-99 | Debtor Cosigner Indicator |
| 12 | Reserved | 1 | 100 | BLANK |
The next table clearly displays each database field name from Collect! to help you determine more easily where
information is coming from.
| J1 Segment Record Database Fields | Same Address |
| Metro2 Field Name | Database Form and Field | Length | Position |
| Surname | Debtor Cosigner Name | 25 | 4-28 |
| First Name | Debtor Cosigner Name | 20 | 29-48 |
| Social Security Number | Debtor Cosigner SSN | 9 | 70-78 |
| Date of Birth | Debtor Cosigner DOB | 8 | 79-86 |
| Telephone Number | Debtor Cosigner Home | 10 | 87-96 |
| ECOA Code | Debtor Cosigner ECOA | 1 | 97 |
| Consumer Information Indicator | Debtor Cosigner Indicator | 2 | 98-99 |
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
Metro2 Format - J2 Segment
The J2 Segment accommodates the requirements of ECOA when reporting credit. It is included in the reporting file if
the cosigner is being reported. The J2 Segment applies when the associated consumer resides at a different address than
the individual being reported. It is included every time the account is reported.
In the image below, the fields in the J2 Segment are partitioned and identified. Actually, this is one long string of data
in the reporting file.
In the tables below:
- Field is the Metro2 Format Field number
- Field Name is taken from the Metro2 Format. Refer to the Field Number and Field Name when you are trying to
determine CBR requirements for particular areas.
- Length and Position can be used as reference points when you are examining actual data in the report as Collect!
generates it.
- Source is the field in Collect! where the information is pulled from, or some sort of internal value, as indicated.
| J2 Segment | Different Address |
| Field | Field Name | Length | Position | Source |
| 1 | Segment Identifier | 2 | 1-2 | J1 |
| 2 | Consumer Transaction Type | 1 | 3 | Internal |
| 3 | Surname | 25 | 4-28 | Debtor Cosigner Name |
| 4 | First Name | 20 | 29-48 | Debtor Cosigner Name |
| 5 | Middle Name | 20 | 49-68 | BLANK |
| 6 | Generation Code | 1 | 69 | Debtor Cosigner Generation |
| 7 | Social Security Number | 9 | 70-78 | Debtor Cosigner SSN |
| 8 | Date of Birth | 8 | 79-86 | Debtor Cosigner DOB |
| 9 | Telephone Number | 10 | 87-96 | Debtor Cosigner Home |
| 10 | ECOA Code | 1 | 97 | Debtor Cosigner ECOA |
| 11 | Consumer Information Indicator | 2 | 98-99 | Debtor Cosigner Indicator |
| 12 | Country Code | 2 | 100-101 | Debtor Cosigner Country |
| 13 | First Line of Address | 32 | 102-133 | Debtor Cosigner Address Line 1 |
| 14 | Second Line of Address | 32 | 134-165 | Debtor Cosigner Address Line 2 |
| 15 | City | 20 | 166-185 | Debtor Cosigner City |
| 16 | State | 2 | 186-187 | Debtor Cosigner State |
| 17 | Postal/Zip Code | 9 | 188-196 | Debtor Cosigner Zip |
| 18 | Address Indicator | 1 | 197 | Debtor Cosigner Address OK |
| 19 | Residence Code | 1 | 198 | BLANK |
| 20 | Reserved | 2 | 199-200 | BLANK |
The next table clearly displays each database field name from Collect! to help you determine more easily where
information is coming from.
| J2 Segment Record Database Fields | Different Address |
| Metro2 Field Name | Database Form and Field | Length | Position |
| Segment Identifier | J1 | 2 | 1-2 |
| Surname | Debtor Cosigner Name | 25 | 4-28 |
| First Name | Debtor Cosigner Name | 20 | 29-48 |
| Social Security Number | Debtor Cosigner SSN | 9 | 70-78 |
| Date of Birth | Debtor Cosigner DOB | 8 | 79-86 |
| Telephone Number | Debtor Cosigner Home | 10 | 87-96 |
| ECOA Code | Debtor Cosigner ECOA | 1 | 97 |
| Consumer Information Indicator | Debtor Cosigner Indicator | 2 | 98-99 |
| Country Code | Debtor Cosigner Country | 2 | 100-101 |
| First Line of Address | Debtor Cosigner Address Line 1 | 32 | 102-133 |
| Second Line of Address | Debtor Cosigner Address Line 2 | 32 | 134-165 |
| City | Debtor Cosigner City | 20 | 166-185 |
| State | Debtor Cosigner State | 2 | 186-187 |
| Postal/Zip Code | Debtor Cosigner Zip | 9 | 188-196 |
| Address Indicator | Debtor Cosigner Address OK | 1 | 197 |
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
Metro2 Format - K1 Segment
The K1 Segment contains the name of the Original Creditor and the Creditor Classification code. This segment must be
included whenever an account is reported by collection agencies, debt collectors, factoring companies and others.
This information is reported to help consumers identify the source of accounts when they appear on credit reports.
Without the original creditor names, consumers may not know what the accounts represent.
In the image below, the fields in the K1 Segment are partitioned and identified. Actually, this is one long string of data
in the reporting file.
In the tables below:
- Field is the Metro2 Format Field number
- Field Name is taken from the Metro2 Format. Refer to the Field Number and Field Name when you are trying to determine
CBR requirements for particular areas.
- Length and Position can be used as reference points when you are examining actual data in the report as Collect!
generates it.
- Source is the field in Collect! where the information is pulled from, or some sort of internal value, as indicated.
| K1 Segment |
| Field | Field Name | Length | Position | Source |
| 1 | Segment Identifier | 2 | 1-2 | K1 |
| 2 | Original Creditor Name | 30 | 3-32 | Client Name |
| 3 | Creditor Classification | 2 | 33-34 | Client Type |
The next table clearly displays each database field name from Collect! to help you determine more easily where
information is coming from.
| K1 Segment Record Database Fields |
| Metro2 Field Name | Database Form and Field | Length | Position |
| Original Creditor Name | Client Name | 30 | 3-32 |
| Creditor Classification | Client Type | 2 | 33-34 |
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
Metro2 Format - Trailer Record
The Trailer Record is the last segment of the credit reporting file. It includes cumulative totals of all records,
all segments, all Metro2 status codes, SSN #'s, Dates of Birth, Phone Numbers and other information.
This information is used to verify that all records received have been processed.
The image below shows the Trailer Record. In the reporting file, this is one long string of data.
Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro2 Format.
For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.
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