Understanding Metro 2® Format
Metro 2® is the standardized credit reporting format used by all major credit bureaus in the United States. Understanding this format is essential for accurate credit reporting.
Metro 2® Format
Understanding Metro 2® Format
Metro 2® is the standardized credit reporting format used by all major credit bureaus in the United States. Understanding this format is essential for accurate credit reporting.
What is Metro 2® Format?
Metro 2® is a fixed-width file format developed by the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) that standardizes how consumer credit information is reported to credit bureaus. It ensures consistency and accuracy across all reporting entities.
What is Metro 2® Format?
Metro 2® is a fixed-width file format developed by the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) that standardizes how consumer credit information is reported to credit bureaus. It ensures consistency and accuracy across all reporting entities.
The format includes specific segments for different types of information, strict field requirements, and validation rules to maintain data integrity.
Metro 2® File Structure
Metro 2® File Structure
Header Record
Every Metro 2® file begins with a header record containing:
Every Metro 2® file begins with a header record containing:
- Record descriptor (identifies file type)
- Reporter name and address
- Reporter telephone number
- Software vendor information
- File creation date
Base Segment (Required)
The base segment contains core account information:
- Consumer Identification: Name, SSN, date of birth, address
- Account Information: Account number, type, status
- Payment Data: Payment history, amount owed, credit limit
- Dates: Account opened, last payment, last activity
- Status Codes: Current account status and payment rating
J1 Segment (Optional)
Used when reporting joint accounts or authorized users:
- Secondary consumer name and SSN
- Relationship to primary account holder
- Secondary consumer date of birth
- Secondary consumer address (if different)
J2 Segment (Optional)
Additional information segment for:
- Special comments or notes
- Consumer statements
- Original creditor information (for debt collectors)
- Payment history details beyond standard fields
Trailer Record
End of file record containing:
- Total number of base segments
- Total number of J1 segments
- Total number of J2 segments
- Total blocks in file
⚠️ Critical Required Fields
These fields MUST be present and accurate for your report to be accepted:
- Consumer Name: Full legal name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
- Address: Complete current address
- Social Security Number: Valid 9-digit SSN
- Date of Birth: Consumer's DOB (MMDDYYYY format)
- Account Number: Your unique identifier for this account
- Account Type: Valid Metro 2® account type code
- Account Type: Valid Metro 2® account type code
- Date Opened: When account was established
- Balance: Current amount owed
- Payment Rating: Current payment status (01-97)
- Date of Last Payment: Most recent payment received
Common Account Status Codes
| Code |
Meaning |
| 11 |
Open/Current - Never late |
| 13 |
Open/Closed - Paid as agreed |
| 61 |
Voluntary surrender |
| 62 |
Account transferred |
| 63 |
Repossession |
| 64 |
Charge-off |
| 93 |
Account closed by consumer |
| 97 |
Account closed by creditor |
Note: M2 Reporter automatically handles status code selection based on account information you provide.
💡 How M2 Reporter Simplifies Metro 2®
M2 Reporter handles all the technical complexity of Metro 2® format so you don't have to:
- ✓ Automatically formats data to Metro 2® specifications
💡 How M2 Reporter Simplifies Metro 2®
M2 Reporter handles all the technical complexity of Metro 2® format so you don't have to:
- ✓ Automatically formats data to Metro 2® specifications
- ✓ Validates all required fields before submission
- ✓ Calculates correct segment lengths and positions
- ✓ Generates proper header and trailer records
- ✓ Ensures compliance with bureau-specific requirements
- ✓ Alerts you to potential data issues before reporting
- ✓ Maintains historical payment data in correct format
You focus on your business data - we handle the Metro 2® formatting!
You focus on your business data - we handle the Metro 2® formatting!