Related Information Examples & Tutorials

Metro 2 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 Metro 2 Format Field number
  • Field Name is taken from the Metro 2 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
FieldField NameLength PositionSource
1Record Descriptor41-4Line Length
2Record Identifier65-10Header
3Cycle Number211-12Cycle Reporting -- BLANK
4CCA Identifier1013-22BLANK
5Equifax Identifier1023-32Credit Bureau Setup Equifax Credit Grantor #
6Experian Identifier533-37Credit Bureau Setup Experian Control #
7Trans Union Identifier1038-47Credit Bureau Setup TU Credit Grantor #
8Activity Date848-55Last update to account balances
9Date Created856-63Credit Report Date
10Program Date864-71Internal Program Date
11Program Revision Date873-79Internal Program Date
12Reporter Name4080-119Company Details Name
13Reported Address96120-215Company Details Address Lines 1-3
14Reporter Phone10216-225Company Details Phone
15Reserved201226-426Program 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
Metro 2 Field NameDatabase Form and FieldLength Position in Header
Equifax IdentifierCredit Bureau Setup Equifax Credit Grantor #1023-32
Experian IdentifierCredit Bureau Setup Experian Control #533-37
Trans Union IdentifierCredit Bureau Setup TU Credit Grantor #1038-47
Reporter NameCompany Details Name4080-119
Reported AddressCompany Details Address Lines 1-396120-215
Reporter PhoneCompany Details Phone10216-225

tip.gif Collect! uses the 426 character format when creating the credit reporting file in Metro 2 Format.

For more information, please refer to your credit reporting manual or consult with your credit bureau representative.

See Also

- Credit Reporting Functional Description
- Credit Bureau Reporting Topics

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