Getting Started with M2 Reporter
Welcome to M2 Reporter! This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started with Metro 2® credit reporting.
Welcome to M2 Reporter! This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started with Metro 2® credit reporting.
Step 1: Download and Install
- After purchasing, you'll receive a download link via email
- Download the M2 Reporter installer
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions
- The software will install to C:\Program Files\M2Reporter by default
- System requirements: Windows 7 or later, 4GB RAM minimum
Tip: Make sure you have administrator privileges to install software on your computer.
Step 2: Initial Configuration
- Launch M2 Reporter from your desktop or start menu
- Enter Your License Key: Use the key provided in your purchase email
- Company Information: Enter your business details
- Legal business name
- Contact information
- Business address
- Select Your Industry Type: Choose your primary business category
- Auto Dealers & Finance
- Debt Collection
- Property Management/Rentals
- Banks & Credit Unions
- Student Loans
- Utility Companies
- Other
Step 3: Set Up Credit Bureau Connections
Before you can report, you need to establish accounts with credit bureaus and configure them in M2 Reporter.
Required Information from Each Bureau:
- Subscriber Code/Member Number: Your unique identifier with the bureau
- FTP/SFTP Credentials: Server address, username, and password
- Metro 2® Specifications: Any bureau-specific formatting requirements
- Metro 2® Specifications: Any bureau-specific formatting requirements
Supported Credit Bureaus:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
- Innovis
- MicroBilt (PRBC)
⚠️ Important: You must have a data furnisher agreement with each bureau before reporting.
Learn more about data furnisher agreements
→ Detailed Bureau Setup Guide
Step 4: Import Your Account Data
M2 Reporter supports multiple ways to add account data:
Method 1: Manual Entry
- Click "Add New Account" in the main window
- Enter customer and account information
- Save and repeat for each account
Method 2: Import from File
- Go to File → Import Data
- Select your file format (CSV, Excel, Metro 2)
- Map your fields to Metro 2® format
- Map your fields to Metro 2® format
- Review and import
Supported Import Formats:
- CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
- Excel (.xlsx, .xls)
- Metro 2® format files
- Metro 2® format files
- Various accounting software exports
→ Complete Data Import Guide
Step 5: Submit Your First Report
- Review Your Data: Check that all account information is accurate
- Validate Compliance: M2 Reporter will check for FCRA compliance issues
- Select Bureaus: Choose which bureaus to report to
- Generate Report: Click "Generate Metro 2® File"
- Generate Report: Click "Generate Metro 2® File"
- Submit: Click "Submit to Bureaus" - M2 Reporter handles the upload
- Verify: Check for acknowledgment responses from bureaus (usually within 24-48 hours)
💡 Pro Tip: Start with a small test batch (5-10 accounts) for your first submission to ensure everything is configured correctly.
→ Detailed First Report Guide