Collect! Credit and Collection Software™

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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
FieldField NameLength PositionSource
1Record Descriptor41-4Line Length
2Record Identifier65-10Header
3Cycle Number211-12Cycle Reporting -- BLANK
4CCA Identifier1013-22BLANK
5Equifax Identifier1023-32 Credit 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 Name4080-119 Company Details Name
13Reported Address96120-215 Company 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
Metro2 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

Useful Note 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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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
FieldField NameLengthPositionSource
1Record Descriptor41-4Record length
2Processing Indicator15Processing instruction
3Time Stamp146-19 Contact created Date and Time
4Correction Indicator120Internal
5Identification Number2021-40 Credit Bureau Setup Identification #
6Cycle Identifier241-42Cycle Reporting -- BLANK
7Consumer Account Number3043-72Debtor File # or Client Account #
8Portfolio Type173 Credit Report Details Portfolio
9Account Type274-75Credit Report Details Account Type
10Date Opened876-83Debtor Listed Date
11Credit Limit984-92ZERO FILL
12Highest Credit or Original Loan Amount993-101Debtor Principal
13Terms Duration3102-1041
14Terms Frequency1105BLANK
15Scheduled Monthly Payment Amount9106-114ZERO FILL
16Actual Payment Amount9115-123Payment Transactions Amount
17AAccount Status2124-125Credit Report Details Status Code
17BPayment Rating1126BLANK
18Payment History Profile24127-150B - No Payment History
19Special Comment2151-152Credit Report Details Special Comments
20Compliance Condition Code2153-154Credit Report Details Condition Code
21Current Balance9155-163Debtor Owing
22Amount Past Due9164-172ZERO FILL
23Original Charge-off Amount9173-181ZERO FILL
24Billing Date8182-189Credit Report Date
25FCRA Compliance/Date of First Delinquency8190-197 Debtor Delnqnt or zero filled if Current
26Date Closed8198-205Metro Contact Date or zero filled if not Closed
27Date of Last Payment8206-213Debtor Payment
28Reserved17214-230BLANK
29Consumer Transaction Type1231Internal
30Surname25232-256Debtor Name
31First Name20257-276Debtor Name
32Middle Name20277-296BLANK
33Generation Code1297Debtor Generation
34Social Security Number9298-306Debtor SSN#
35Date of Birth8307-314Debtor DOB
36Telephone Number10315-324Debtor Home
37ECOA Code1325Credit Report Details Association Code (ECOA)
38Consumer Information Indicator2326-327Credit Report Details Indicator
39Country Code2328-329Debtor Country
40First Line of Address32330-361Debtor Address
41Second Line of Address32362-393Debtor Address Line 2
42City20394-413Debtor City
43State2414-415Debtor State
44Postal/Zip Code9416-424Debtor Zip
45Address Indicator1425Debtor Address OK
46Residence Code1426BLANK

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 NameDatabase Form and FieldLength Position
Identification NumberCredit Bureau Setup Identification #2021-40
Consumer Account NumberDebtor File # or Client Account #3043-72
Portfolio TypeCredit Report Details Portfolio173
Account TypeCredit Report Details Account Type274-75
Date OpenedDebtor Listed Date876-83
Highest Credit or Original Loan AmountDebtor Principal993-101
Actual Payment AmountPayment Transactions Amount9115-123
Account StatusCredit Report Details Status Code2124-125
Special CommentCredit Report Details Special Comments2151-152
Compliance Condition CodeCredit Report Details Condition Code2153-154
Current BalanceDebtor Owing9155-163
FCRA Compliance/Date of First DelinquencyDebtor Delnqnt8190-197
Date of Last PaymentDebtor Payment8206-213
SurnameDebtor Name25232-256
First NameDebtor Name20257-276
Social Security NumberDebtor SSN#9298-306
Date of BirthDebtor DOB8307-314
Telephone NumberDebtor Home10315-324
ECOA CodeCredit Report Details Association Code (ECOA)1325
Consumer Information IndicatorCredit Report Details Indicator2326-327
Country CodeDebtor Country2328-329
First Line of AddressDebtor Address32330-361
Second Line of AddressDebtor Address Line 232362-393
CityDebtor City20394-413
StateDebtor State2414-415
Postal/Zip CodeDebtor Zip9416-424
Address IndicatorDebtor Address OK1425

Useful Note 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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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 SegmentSame Address
FieldField NameLengthPositionSource
1Segment Identifier21-2J1
2Consumer Transaction Type13Internal
3Surname254-28 Debtor Cosigner Name
4First Name2029-48Debtor Cosigner Name
5Middle Name2049-68BLANK
6Generation Code169Debtor Cosigner Generation
7Social Security Number970-78Debtor Cosigner SSN
8Date of Birth879-86Debtor Cosigner DOB
9Telephone Number1087-96Debtor Cosigner Home
10ECOA Code197Debtor Cosigner ECOA
11Consumer Information Indicator298-99Debtor Cosigner Indicator
12Reserved1100BLANK

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 FieldsSame Address
Metro2 Field NameDatabase Form and FieldLength Position
SurnameDebtor Cosigner Name254-28
First NameDebtor Cosigner Name2029-48
Social Security NumberDebtor Cosigner SSN970-78
Date of BirthDebtor Cosigner DOB879-86
Telephone NumberDebtor Cosigner Home1087-96
ECOA CodeDebtor Cosigner ECOA197
Consumer Information IndicatorDebtor Cosigner Indicator298-99

Useful Note 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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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 SegmentDifferent Address
FieldField NameLengthPositionSource
1Segment Identifier21-2J1
2Consumer Transaction Type13Internal
3Surname254-28 Debtor Cosigner Name
4First Name2029-48Debtor Cosigner Name
5Middle Name2049-68BLANK
6Generation Code169Debtor Cosigner Generation
7Social Security Number970-78Debtor Cosigner SSN
8Date of Birth879-86Debtor Cosigner DOB
9Telephone Number1087-96Debtor Cosigner Home
10ECOA Code197Debtor Cosigner ECOA
11Consumer Information Indicator298-99Debtor Cosigner Indicator
12Country Code2100-101Debtor Cosigner Country
13First Line of Address32102-133Debtor Cosigner Address Line 1
14Second Line of Address32134-165Debtor Cosigner Address Line 2
15City20166-185Debtor Cosigner City
16State2186-187Debtor Cosigner State
17Postal/Zip Code9188-196Debtor Cosigner Zip
18Address Indicator1197Debtor Cosigner Address OK
19Residence Code1198BLANK
20Reserved2199-200BLANK

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 FieldsDifferent Address
Metro2 Field NameDatabase Form and FieldLength Position
Segment IdentifierJ121-2
SurnameDebtor Cosigner Name254-28
First NameDebtor Cosigner Name2029-48
Social Security NumberDebtor Cosigner SSN970-78
Date of BirthDebtor Cosigner DOB879-86
Telephone NumberDebtor Cosigner Home1087-96
ECOA CodeDebtor Cosigner ECOA197
Consumer Information IndicatorDebtor Cosigner Indicator298-99
Country CodeDebtor Cosigner Country2100-101
First Line of AddressDebtor Cosigner Address Line 132102-133
Second Line of AddressDebtor Cosigner Address Line 232134-165
CityDebtor Cosigner City20166-185
StateDebtor Cosigner State2186-187
Postal/Zip CodeDebtor Cosigner Zip9188-196
Address IndicatorDebtor Cosigner Address OK1197

Useful Note 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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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
FieldField NameLengthPositionSource
1Segment Identifier21-2K1
2Original Creditor Name303-32Client Name
3Creditor Classification233-34Client 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 NameDatabase Form and FieldLength Position
Original Creditor NameClient Name303-32
Creditor ClassificationClient Type233-34

Useful Note 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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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.

Useful Note 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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