CA2341039A1 - System and method for system to system credit information transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a credit updating system (16) which permits credit files stored in different formats, and possibly in different countries, to be seamlessly exchanged and updated without conversion on the end users' part. A
central credit repository (20) stores credit information in a universal format, such as the ICCIF format formulated by Equifax, In., but contains an interpreter module (40) to accept and map data from idiosyncratic foreign credit systems (24) to that database. The client (10a) of the credit system, such as banks issuing credit cards, can specify language, currency denomination, exchange rate and other information according to their needs.
System-to-system credit file updating is enhanced.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYSTEM TO SYSTEM
CREDIT INFORMATION TRANSMISSION
Field of the invention The invention relates to consumer and commercial credit transaction database systems.
Background of the Invention In the credit industry, credit issuers need to know the credit history of potential credit recipients, including both consumers and commercial entities.
Before issuing credit to a potential new account holder of any type, credit to issuers such as banks, department stores, and realty companies typically request information about the history of that potential new account holder's existing accounts. Accordingly, there are automated systems that collect business or personal credit history information and release that information to credit issuers when appropriately requested.
These credit reporting systems typically operate as follows. Customers of the credit reporting system (that is, credit grantors) submit information about their account holders to a repository, including consumers and commercial enterprises. As an example, Bank Z, along with other credit issuers, reports current account information for all of its credit account holders including their 2o name, current address, lbalance and payment history, among other information, to a credit reporting repository which is often a central computerized database.
That credit reporting system collects account information from the variety of credit issuers associated with the system, including Bank Z, and records that information in a database.
25 Then, under appropriate circumstances, other credit issuers, consumers or others may request credit history information for a particular consumer or commercial enterprise :from the records of the credit reporting system. For instance in the United States that request may be by a bank considering a 2 w consumer for a new credit card account. The credit reporting system then generates a report which lists information from various accounts with all credit issuers that are stored in the database for that particular consumer or commercial enterprise. Credit issuers may use that reported information to assess whether to issue credit by using various modeling and scoring algorithms to assess the risk involved in granting the credit.
The credit information recorded by the various collection systems used throughout the world varies from country to country, and even within a single country. For example;, information collected in India may vary significantly to from information collected in Mexico or the United States. Languages, cultures, and currencies differ in these various countries, and accordingly the types of information collected by credit systems used in these countries also varies. Accordingly, a credit reporting system designed for one reporting format is not capable of accepting information from a customer that provides information in another format. A uniform reporting system does not exist, and more flexible and universal information access is desirable.
Summary of the Invention An object of the: invention is to overcome these and other problems with 2o existing credit reporting; systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a uniform system and method for collecting credit information for credit recipients over the world.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method that allows system to systems communication of credit information.
z5 Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for translating and collecting credit history information from a variety of different formats and storing that data in a credit history database in a uniform manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a credit history system and method for receiving and using data from existing formats throughout the 3o world.

3 w Another object of the invention is to provide a credit history system and method that enables users to generate reports in different languages, formats and currencies.
Another object of the invention is to provide a credit history system and 5 method that displays l;raphical user interfaces to the user in the user's preferred language.
The invention relates to a system that accepts credit information from any source, translates it into a uniform credit information format and stores that data into a database. Therefore, according to one embodiment, consumer or 1 o commercial information from an arbitrary source from anywhere in the world may be stored in and delivered from a single system. The invention may be interfaced to existing credit history systems, because those existing systems do not have to be altered to report a different credit history format. The existing system's format may be translated into the uniform credit information formats 15 and then stored on the system for use in reporting credit history.
Also, because of the variation in language, currency, consumer identification protocols, address and other formats, the invention provides a database that stores an integral code or indicator of the type of data being stored.
For example, for currency fields, the numerical amount of the currency may be 2o stored along with an indicator of the currency denomination. Accordingly, credit information including balances from one country may be readily translated into credit information in another country.
Also, the fields stored in the database may be configured to accommodate large names, as used in some countries, or larger currency values 25 for countries having relatively large numerical exchange rates, such as Mexico or Italy, for example. )jn this manner, the uniform database is able to accept data from all originating countries without having to be individually customized for implementation in different countries.
Additional fielda may be stored in the database that permit for better 3o modeling and scoring. Modeling and scoring techniques are used by credit issuers to evaluate th,e credit worthiness of an application for credit and also assess future risk, fraud possibility, potential profitability and other factors.
Accordingly, the database contains a rich and extensible structure of stored fields, such as ten ye~~r's worth of account history, rate, balance, past due, and s monthly payment amounts, credit limits and highest credit granted, charge off amount and date, payment date, expiration date {particularly for credit card accounts), and defined status messages with associated codes. This is rather than simply providin~; free-form verbiage that is not useful to score or to sort accounts, as in some prior art systems.
1o Also, the invE;ntion may store graphical user interfaces, code tables listing selections to be made by a user, and other textual or graphical information in multiple languages. A user may select the language desired fox the graphical user interface. Reports may also be generated in different languages or formats by storing different textual information to be printed on is the report and permitl:ing the user to select the language for the report.
The currency denomination of the report may also be selected by the user and generated by using the; currency codes stored with the credit history data stored in the database.
20 Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 illustrates an overall system according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a translation of account information performed by a system according to the invention.
25 Fig. 3 illustrates a translation of account information performed by a system according to another embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates a data transmission format according to the invention.
Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of credit update processing according to the invention.

S __ Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An overall credit system architecture according to one embodiment of the invention is depicted in Fig. 1. As shown in that figure, the overall credit system 100 comprises an arbitrary number of client customer systems, shown as 5 l0a through IOn although a single customer system IOa may be deployed.
Customer systems l0a through IOn communicate with a central credit system 16. Central credit system 16 comprises a storage and retrieval system 18 in communication with one or more databases 20. Additionally, central credit system 16 may communicate with other credit systems 24 housing their own 10 credit records.
Customer systems l0a through lOn constitute a report requesting element 42 which permits any one or more of customer systems l0a through l On to request reports vfrom central credit system 16 over a network connection.
Report requesting element 42 may comprise a GUI selection unit 44 through 15 which users at customer systems l0a through lOn may request credit reports from central credit system 16. Central credit system 16 may generate reports to one of customer systems l0a through lOn based on information stored in database 20, as described in more detail below. Reports 26 may also be generated for and transmitted to other systems or entities including credit 20 systems 24.
According to one embodiment of the invention, credit information may be directly transmitted from customer systems l0a through lOn to central credit system 16 over a network. The network may be or include as a segment any one or more of, for instance, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN (Local Area 25 Network), WAN (Wide; Area Network) or MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a frame relay connection, Advanced Intelligent Network (AII~ connection, a synchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3 or E1 line, Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital 30 Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34 or V.34bis analog modem 6 w connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) connection, FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Networks) or CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connections, WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile 5 Communication) or C'.DMA (Code Division Multiple Access) radio frequency links, RS-232 serial connections, IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connections, USB
(Universal Serial Busy connections or other wired or wireless, digital or analog interfaces or connections.
Accordingly, the implementation of the invention eliminates the need for 1o physical storage media to store the credit information and then ship that physical storage medium to the credit reporting system for input and storage, although such a method of transmission to central credit system 16 may also be used within the scope of the invention.
System to system communication may be performed by customer 15 system 10 transmitting; credit information to central credit system 16 data in a predetermined format that is received by central credit system 16. For example, according to one embodiment, as described in more detail below, a format created by Equifax Inc. called the International Consumer and Commercial Input Format (ICCIF) may be used. Version 2 of the ICCIF format, including 2o fields and records, is more fully disclosed as an Appendix to this application.
The ICCIF farrnat may comprise consumer base records and commercial base records, each with a header and trailer record. Consumer base records may comprise fields for consumer base, consumer name, address information, identification information, telephone number, relationship information, 25 historical information, collateral information, account number change, purchased portfoliolsold to segment, employment and other income. The commercial base segment may comprise fields for commercial base, address information, identification information, telephone number, relationship information, commerciial base, commercial financial information, commercial __ name, historical information, collateral information, account number change, and purchased portfolio/sold to.
According to one embodiment of the invention, some or all of this selection of information may be required by central credit system 16. For 5 example, it may be required to provide the header and file trailer, as well as the consumer name, and address for the consumer base segment and the commercial base and commercial name for the commercial base segment.
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a ICCIF customer transmission including both consumer and commercial base segments. According to one aspect, the 1o character format may be a variable block format. Other fields may be either variable or fixed. A variable block format sends only data, whereas the fixed field format sends a data block equal in size to that allotted, even if much of the content is blank. As shown in Fig. 4, the format used for system to system transfers may comprise a header record, a plurality of consumer base segments, 15 and a trailer record. T'he format may also comprise a header record, a plurality of commercial base segments and a trailer record. Multiple consumer base segment blocks and commercial base segment blocks may also be sent.
According to the invention, the ICCIF format may employ or embed certain conventions fo:r data transmission. For example, alphabetic fields may 2o be upper case letters. hlumeric fields may be right justified and zero filled. If a descriptive field is not available, it may be filled with blanks. If a numeric field is not available, it may be zero filled. For date fields, the data may be formatted in YY'~~YM1V1DD format. If a date is not available, the field O1 may be used.
For currency fields, v~rhole numbers of currency may be used, for example, 25 dollars without cents. For time stamp fields, the convention YYYYMIVmDHHMM:SS may be used.
Accordingly, customer systems l0a through lOn may transmit data directly to central credit system 16 in a predetermined format, such as ICCIF.
Other customer systems 10 may also directly transmit information to central 3o credit system 16.

__ As depicted in Fig. 1, central credit system 16 may also receive credit information from a customer system l Ob that transmits data in a format different from that received by .credit system 16. For example, many existing customer systems in the world already have established idiosyncratic reporting formats.
Altering such formats may be costly and require a significant overhaul of those existing local systems.. The invention enables a central credit system 16 to receive, process, and store information, even from existing systems that transmit information in a different format from ICCIF or other standard protocol.
According to another aspect of the invention, a format translator 14 may 1o be used to receive data from customer systems 10 in a data format 12, translate that data into the predetermined data format, such as ICCIF, and then transmit that information to central credit system 16. Format translator 14 may be an adaptation of customer system 10, may be a stand-alone unit intermediate between customer system 10 and central credit system 16, or may comprise an element of central credit system 16.
As described above, different customer systems may report credit history using different native formats. The formats from different countries may differ and sometimes reporting systems in the same country differ as well. Through format translator 14, credit information from customer systems 10 may be 2o accepted and processed by credit system 16 regardless of the format used by customer system 10 to report that information.
One embodiment of a format translator 14 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.
Fig. 2 illustrates a first data format record SO from a customer system 10, for example. Fig. 2 also de>picts a second data format record 52, such as an ICCIF
25 format record. In this embodiment first data format record 50 comprises fields for consumer social security number, consumer name, consumer address, telephone number, and other information. According to one embodiment, format translator 14 may receive first data format record 50 and parse that record to determine the various elements.

Each field from first data format record 50 may be assigned to or associated with a field in second data format record 52. That assignment may be predetermined and stored with format translator 14. However, because a direct correspondence; between fields may not occur, a lexical analyzer or other 5 modules may be used to detect and find a best fit to place the data format from first data format record 50 into second data format record 52.
For example, in the illustrated first data format record 50, consumer social security number is provided. Second data format record 52, illustrated as an ICCIF format record, does not have a corresponding field for social security to number information. Consumer social security number may be predetermined by format translator 1.4 to be a type consumer identification information, and may be placed in the consumer identification information field in the second data format record 52.
Conversely, some information required by the ICCIF format may not be 15 provided from a single field in the first data format record 50.
Accordingly, information in a single field from first data format record 50 may be split into two or more fields in second data format record 52, to make subfields available for association. Likewise, individual fields from first data format record 50 may be combined for the purpose of creating a match to a desired field of second 2o data format record 52. Format translator 14 may also include other components for taking a record in one format and translating it into another format, such as the ICCIF format.
Fig. 3 illustrates another example of format translator 14 translating information into another format. According to the embodiment depicted in Fig.
25 3(a), a record for Consumer Smith from Mexico is provided and in Fig. 3(b), a record for Consumer Jones is provided. For these two records to be assimilated into the same database, the ICCIF format may be used.
As shown in Fig. 3, the two records contain different fields of information. The Consumer Smith record from Mexico lists Mr. Smith's 30 identification number. Mr. Jones' record, on the other hand, lists his U.S.
social --security number. Both of these numbers may be considered consumer identification information and may be translated into the identification information field of thf; ICCIF format record, as depicted in Fig. 3. In doing so, however, that information is simply an abstract number with no reference.
5 Therefore, in order to understand what that number represents, a code may be associated with the input that indicates the type of input. According to one aspect of the invention, ISO (International Standards Organization) codes may be used to designate the country of origin of the record and the specific definition of the associated number. Other codes may also be used to designate 10 the type of input as well.
In some countries, such as Mexico, multiple identification formats may be used. For such cowitries, additional codes may be used to correspond to the various formats. Different codes may therefore be used to designate social security number, RFC:/CURP - Government )D, IMSS Tax )D, Driver's 15 License, Passport, Professional License, Voter Registration, and DUNS, to name examples of codes that may be used for the identification number field.
Similarly, the address field may differ for records from Mexico and the United States. Many countries use different address conventions which therefore may need to be coded so that the information may be more easily 20 stored and searched in ICCIF format.
Also, account lbalance information from different countries may be reported in the currency of the originating country or even multiple currencies.
For example, for Mexico, the customer may desire to receive reports in Peso, Old Peso and US Dolh~rs, for example. Reported currencies may be stored in 25 ICCIF by storing the amount and a code associated with the currency information. Other monetary values may similarly be coded to indicate the currency denomination in which the value is being reported.
Through the use of codes and by providing relatively flexible data field formats, the system according to the present invention is customizable for any 30 credit reporting system. A single credit reporting system and associated database may be used all over the world, such as countries like Mexico, India, Argentina, and the United States, without requiring modification to the database or the format of inforniation being stored therein.
By creating a format translator for translating the format of the existing reporting system and updating the code tables that list available codes for that system, central credit system 16 may be readily implemented and extended.
The database structure itself for central credit system 16, such as one based on the ICCIF format, rnay be used in all countries without the need for modification of the database structure of the data stored.
to In addition to those data fields with which codes are associated, at least the following additional codes may be used: account type, address type, association termination, business type, collateral description, country name, currency type, employment type, gender, ID type, industry, language, location of incorporation, name: suffix, name title, name type (commercial), name type (consumer), occupation type, operating status, other income frequency, other income type, ownership, phone number type, portfolio type, position title, rate, reason left employment, relationship, salary frequency, special comments, and terms frequency. Othc;r codes associated with information fields may also be used within the scope a~f the invention.
2o Once all of the data is received by central credit system 16 and through the use of storage/retrie:val system 18, the information is stored into one or more databases 20. According to one embodiment of the invention, each of databases may comprise a relational database system correlating customer information to consumer and commercial information in the database. For example, the 25 Oracle8 relational database sold commercially by Oracle Corp. may be used.
Other databases such ~~s DB2 or other data storage or query formats such as SQL may also be used :in the present invention.
Central credit system 16 may also share credit information with other foreign credit systems 24. Foreign credit systems 24 may store information in a 30 different format as well. Accordingly, another format translator 22 may be used to translate information stored at central credit system 16 to another format as used by foreign credit system 24. Again, format translator 22 may comprise an element of central crE;dit system 16, a stand-alone unit or may comprise an adaptation to foreign credit systems 24. Format translator 22 may operate in a reverse fashion to that of format translator 14.
Among other advantages, a credit system implemented according to the invention is able to report a single consumer's credit history even if the consumer moves to different countries. For example, a consumer that is born in Mexico, moves to the United States and then moves to Argentina may have to credit history in all of those countries. When that consumer applies for credit in Argentina, according to the invention credit history information stored for that individual may be reb~ieved from Mexico and the United States and may be reported to an Argentinian credit provider in the local currency. Or, other currency denominations may be presented through use of the currency codes 1 s and conversion tables.
Different currency denominations may be presented for different periods of time based on the date of the amounts stored in the database. To provide up-to-date conversion of currency, the conversion tables may be updated periodically based on currency exchange rates at the time. For example, an 20 outstanding balance reported in dollars in the United States could be reported to the Argentinian credit provider in United States Dollars or Argentinian Pesos, or any other currency that the credit provider desires.
As described above, it may be desired to transmit information from central credit system 16 to a foreign credit system 2$. In doing so, that foreign 25 credit system may trar.~smit all available information or only provide certain information, such as negative credit information. Accordingly, a field may be stored indicating the type of information contained within a set or subset of the records in the database 20. Only negative information may then be provided to the foreign credit system by selection based on those codes stored with the data.

System 100 may comprise another facilitating its use in any part of the world. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 1, customer systems 10 may comprise a report requesting element 42. Report requesting element 42 may comprise a software-based modulle that presents a user at customer system 10 with a 5 plurality of queries for input, thereby allowing the user to select the type of report requested. For Example, the user may request a report for a potential new account holder. Report requesting element 42 may then accept relevant information about the potential new account holder from the user at customer system 10, and transrr~it that information to central credit system 16. Report 10 requesting element 42 may include standalone or network enabled code such Hyper text Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XIVIL), Jav~~, Jini, C, C++, Perl, UNIX Shell, Visual Basic or Visual Basic Script, Virtual F~eality Markup Language (VRNIL) or other technology including compilers, assemblers, interpreters or other computer languages.
IS Report requesting element 42 may also include a graphical user interface (GUI) for use in connection with a computer display. System 100 may store graphical user interface displays and code tables listing the meaning of the various codes used in the system in multiple languages either at customer system 10, central credit system 16, or both. Through GUI selection unit 44, a 2o user at customer systems 10 may then select a preferred language from the stored GUI displays. Accordiingly, the system may accommodate all language users through one selection, rather than having to have the system reprogrammed for each different country.
GUI selection unit 44 may cooperate with a database either at customer 25 system 10 or at central credit system 16 that stores the various GUI
displays and code tables and may retrieve the selected language GUi display and code table upon request by a user. The format for the GUI retrieved from the database of GUIs is then displayed to the user. A user in Mexico may therefore be able to use report requesting element 42 through GUIs in Spanish, English or 3o Portuguese, for example, if desired.

Similarly, customer system 10 may comprise a graphical user interface for enabling a user at customer system 10 to initiate transmission of customer credit information to central credit system 16. GUI selection system 44 may be used to modify the language of GUIs used to generate those requests as well.
5 Another aspect of the invention permits selection of the language of the reports generated by central credit system 16. Central credit system 16 may comprise a report language determination unit 40 to enable selection of the language of the report 1:o be generated. Again, a plurality of report formats may be stored corresponding to each potential language. A user, through customer 10 system 10 or an operator at central credit system 16, may input a selection for the language of the report.
Again, a database table that stores language codes for the report and the actual text corresponding to each language code may be used to store the textual information to be output on the report. The report then uses the language type 15 selected to choose the appropriate textual output for the report when generating the report for that user.
As an example, one user may desire to see a particular potential new account holder's credit history in English and U.S. Dollars, whereas another user, for example, a potential credit issuer in Mexico, may desire to see the 2o credit history in Spanish and Pesos. The English user may select English and U.S. Dollars through report language determination unit 40 which then generates a report listing headings for consumer, account number, address, etc.
in English. Further, al.l currency fields may then be reported in dollars, by collecting the currency fields for that consumer from the database, using the 25 currency code associated with the currency value and translating that currency, if necessary, to U.S. T)ollars and outputting that information in the report.
Another user in Mexico may desire to see the potential new account holder's credit history in English, but the currency in Pesos (for example, a U.S. bank operating in Mexico).

WO 00/11586 PCT/US99/18~25 Through the use of codes corresponding to the language of the report and the currency of the report, any combination of reports may easily be generated by report language determination unit without requiring reprogramming for each country in which the system is implemented.
5 A flow chart illustrating the credit update processing of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 5. lm step 200, processing begins. In step 202, a request for information or notification of update is received from a client, such as foreign credit system 24. In step 204, the format of the remote credit information format is determined, such as ICCIF or a native format to the foreign location.
1o In step 206, if the credit update or request is not in a universal format such as ICCIF the foreign credit information is translated to universal format including by means of format translator 14, format translator 22. In step 208 the desired credit fields are updated or retrieved. In step 210, the resulting credit fields are translated back to foreign format if necessary. In step 212, the resulting credit 15 information is transmitted to foreign credit system 24 or other client. In step 214, processing ends.
Other implementations and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the illustrations, specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The scope of the invention is accordingly intended 2o to be limited only by tree following claims.

Appendix - ICCIF Format Segment 01 (Header Record) The Header Record must be the first record on the ICCIF file and should include information necessary t:o identify the credit data provider. The following tables illustrates the contents of the Header Record.
Field Field Name and Desc Length ~ PositionAlphal Requiredl Number Numeric Optional Contains a constant used to identify this record. Must contain a constant of 01.

_ A control number assigned by the data provider to the file for trackin purposes.

Signifies the date of the most recent update to a subject's account balances.

If the file includes accounts updated on different dates, use the most recent date.

Report in date format.

Contains the sequence number of each file.

Contains the date on which the format creation program was completed.

Report in date format.

I dentifies the version of the standard reporting format used in your system.

Record a constant of "0001"
when using t he ICCIF format.

Contains the last date your reporting f ormat was revised. Report in date f ormat.

Contains the credit grantor's name which s hould be developed by the subscriber a nd the credit reporting agency. This f ield must be consistent on a month-to-month basis. Notify the credit reporting a gencies before changing this code.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Contains a unique identification number assigned by the credit reporting agency to this credit grantor. This fiend must be consistent on a month-to-month basis. Notify credit reporting agencies before adding, deleting, or changing the identifiers in this field.

DATA CENTER CODE: 3 104-106AN O

Uniquely identifies which data processing center generated a file.

Use only if the data processing center produces files for more than one location.

Contains an identity code which should be developed by the credilt grantor for the location for whom the data is bean reported.

Contains the date the file _ was generated.

Report in date format.

Contains the cycle number for the information being reported, if reporl:ing by cycles. If the data contains more than one cycle, report the first cycle number found on the data.

14 REPORTER NAME _ 35 132-166AN O

Contains the name of the processing company sending the data. For example, the name of t he credit grantor or processor..
If multiple I dentification Records acre provided, you must repeat the Reporter Name on the second and subsequent headers.

I D assigned to the processing company sending the data. For example, credit grantor or processor. If multiplE;
Identification Records are provided, you must repeat the Reporter ID

on the second and subsequent identification r ecords. This field must be consistent on a month-to-month basis. Notify the credit r eporting agencies before changing this code.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number NumericOptional 16 REPORTER ADDRESS LINE 1 60 ~ 182-241AN O

Contains the first line ( street address) of the mailing address for the processing company.

Contains the second line (street address, city, state, and postal code) of the mailing address for the processing company.

Contains the complete mailing address (street address, city, state, anti postal code) for the processing compan .

Contains the data processing company's phone country number.

Contains data processing company's phone number. If the entire phone number is not available, zero fill.

_21 REPORTER PHONE_EXTENSION 10 385-394AN O

Contains the data processing company's phone extension.

Total number of bytes within this group or file which includes the identification record, consumer or commercial base record, all subsequent records, and a total record. The byte count must include one extra byte per record to account for the new line delimiters.

Designates the language type.

Blank fill.

25 FILLER _ 10 438-447AN O

Blank fill.

Segment 02/20 (Consumer Base/Commercial Base) The Consumer/Comm~ercial Data Record consists of the base segment of the standard reporting forrnat and any optional segments that may be appended.
This section describes each data element in the base segment, which should be used to report the primary borrower.
Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number NumericOptional Unique code used to identify this segment.

Must contain a constant of 02_/20.

2 CUSTOMER BRANChI ID 15 3-17 AN O

Uniquely identifies the credit grantor's intemai code for each branch or office where information is verified. Right justify and zero fill. The Entire field should never be zero, blank, or nine (9) filled This field must be consistent on a month-to-month basis. Notify credit reporting agenciea before adding, deletin , or chan ing the identifiers in this field.

Report the unique account number as extracted from your file" Left justify and space fill. Do not include embedded blanks or special characters. Account number encryption is permitted when using one of the standard encryption options.
Contact your l ocal credit reporting agency for information re ardin the encryption techniques.

Used to designate an account portfolio. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the account type code used to i dentify the account classification.
See Appendix A for a fist of valid codes.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number NumericOptional Contains the status code that properly identifies the current account condition. This is a required field. The Special Comments (field 7) should be used along with this field to further define an account.
See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Used along with the Acxount Status to further define an account. For example, closed accounts, accounts in dispute, or adjustments pending. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Used to replace the most recently reported update for the same reporting period. Valid values:

0 - Not a replacement update (default) 1 - Replacement update For installment and mortgage accounts, report the frequency for payments due. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the duration of the credit extended or the number of periods for which payments must be made.

11 TERMS PAYMENT AMOUNT 15 ~ 87-101 N O

Report the amount of the scheduled terms payment. Report in amount format.
For i nstallment accounts, report the regular payment. For revolving and line of credit accounts, report the minimum amount due based on the balance not including any past due amounts. For open accounts, zero fill.

For mortgage accounts, include the total monthly payment including principal, interest, and escrows.

Field Field Name and D-Lion Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number- ~ NumericOptional 12 TIME STAMP i4 102-115N O

Contains the reported date and time of actual account information. Report in time stamp format.

Date on which an account was originally opened. Retain the oric,~inal Date Opened regardless of future activity, such as transfer, refinance, or lost or stolen card. For returned checks, report the date the check was written.

Report in date format.

14 DATE OF OCCURRENCE (Date Last 8 124-131N O
Activity) This field represents the: date of last activity on the account. Report in date format.

Report the date of the mist payment. Report in date format.

Report the highest account balance in this field, and the Credit Limit in field 19. Report in amount format. For returned checks (ail portfolio types), report the original amount of t he check, excluding fees and interest.

Report the total current .account balance.

Report credit balances as zero.
For negative v alues, the left-most character must be "= . For e xample, -2500. Report: in amount format.

Report the amount past due.
The amount s hould approximate the number of full cycles p ast the due date times 'the Monthly Payment a nd can include late charges and fees. Report i n amount format. If the account status is c urrent, this field should also be zero. Do not i nclude the current amount due in this field.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Contains the assigned account credit limit.

Report in amount format. For revolving or line of credit accounts, report the assigned credit limit. For open, installment, or mortgage accounts, zero fill.

Report the amount paid. Report in amount format.

Report the date on which the balloon payment is due. Report in date i'ormat when amount exists.

Report the amount of the balloon payment.

Report in amount format.

Contains the expiration date for an account.

Report in date format.

Used to designate an association with an account. For example, an individual or joint account. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the date on which an account was closed. Report in date format.

Contains the rate assigned to an account. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the amount that has been subtracted from the balance due because of a charge to l oss: Report in amount ~~format.

Contains the date on which the charge off occurred. Report in date format when charge off amount exists.

Note: If you enter a date in this field, you must supply an amount in the CHARGED
OFF

AMOUNT field (27).

23 ~-Field Field Name and Description LengthPositionAlphal Required/
Number__ NumericOptional Contains the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard currency type code. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

30 RESERVED _ 25 292-316AN O

Blank fill.

_ Blank fill.

Segment 04 (Consumer Name) The following table describes consumer name.
Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Unique code used to identify this segment.
Must contain a constant of 04.

Report the consumer's paternal name.
~

Report the consumer's maternal name. If not available, blank fill.

Report the consumer's first name.

Report the consumer's middle name or initial.
If not available, blank fill.

Used to designate the fiype of consumer name.
See Appendix A for a li;>t of valid codes.

Used to distinguish Junior, Senior, or III. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Used to designate a consumer's title. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the date of birl:h for the consumer specified in this Segment. Report in date format.

Contains the date of death for the consumer specified in this Segment. Report in date format.

Contains the gender for the consumer specified in this Segment. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

12 LANGUAGE TYPE COC)E 3 243-245AN O

Designates the consumer's language.
-_ Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 06 {Address Information) The following table describes address information for the subject.
Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Unique code used to identify this segment.

Must contain a constant of 06.

2 FIRST LINE OF ADDRESS 60 3-62 AN ~ R

Contains the first line of the mailing address for the subject and usually includes the street number, direction, street name, and type of thoroughfare. Left justify and blank fill. An apartment name or number should follow the street name. If the mailing address is a P. O.

Box or Rural Route, include the Box or Route followed by the number. For example, P. O.

Box 100. Do not report both a street address and a P. O. Box. Eliminate internal messages such as:

"Do not mail", "Attorney", "Charge off and "Fraud." Do not eater the credit grantor's address in this field.

Contains the second line of the street address f or the subject, which is usually city and province. Left justify and blank fill any unused portions. Separate city name and province abbreviations by a comma. Eliminate intemaf messages such as: "Do Not Mail", "Attorney", " Charge off', and "Fraud." Contact the credit r eporting agencies to diiscuss the use of i nternal messages.

I f three lines of address are maintained for an a ccount, this field should be used for city and p rovince. Left justify and blank fill any unused p ortions. If not used, blank fill. Eliminate i nternal messages such as: "Do Not Mail", " Attorney", "Charge off'" and "Fraud." Contact t he credit reporting agencies to discuss the use o f internal messages.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlphal Required/
Number NumericOptional Report the postal code of the subject's address. Left justify aind blank fill.

_ _ Contains the city of the subject's address.

Contains the District of the subject'saddress.

Report the county of the subject's address if available.

N

Report the Province or State _ of the subject's address if available.

Indicates the type of address that is reported in this segment. See Appendix A
for a list of valid codes.

Used to designate If the: address described in this segment is owned or rented by the subject.
If not available, blank fill.
See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard country code.

_ Indicates whether or not this is a confirmed address.
0 - not a confirmed address 1 - address reported is known to be the address.

Report the date the address was validated.
Report in date format.

The date since the subjE:ct reports to have been at this address. Report in date format.

Designates the subject's language.

_ Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 08 (Identification Information).
Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number _ NumericOptional Unique code used to identify this segment.

Must contain a constant of 08.

Report the ID number of subject specified in the Consumer or Commercial Name Segment.

Report in ID format.

Used to designate the type of ID number. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

4 ID VERIFICATION INt)ICATOR 1 29 N O

Indicates whether or not the reported ID has been verified.

0 - ID not verified 1 - ID verified This field is used to represent the date in which t he ID was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual ID nurnber for the subject. If t his field contains a date, the ID

VERIFICATION INDICATOR field must contain a'1'. Report in date fot~rnat.

_6 LANGUAGE TYPE CODE 3 38-40 AN O

Designates the subject's language.

Blank fill. ~-'-Blank fill.

Segment 10 (Telephone Number) Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number NumericO tional Unique code used to identify this segment.

Must contain a constant of 10.

Used to designate the country code for the telephone. If the country code is not available, zero fill.

Contains the phone number of the subject specified in the Consumer or Commercial Base Segment. If the phone number is not available, blank fill.

Designates the telephone extension._ If the phone extension is not_available, blank fill.

Used to designate the hype of phone number.

See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Default is Residence Telephone.

INDICATOR

Indicates whether or not the phone number has been verifted.

0 - not verifced 1 - verified This field is used to represent the date in which t he phone number was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual phone number for t he subject. If this field contains a date, the PHONE NUMBER VERIFICATION

I NDICATOR field must contain a '1'. Report in date format.

N

Desi nafes the subject's language. _ Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 12 (Relationship Information) Note: This segment is reserved for future use.
Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Unique code assigned to identify this segment.

Must contain a constant of 12.

2 OWNERSHIP CODE _ 6 3-8 AN R

Used to designate a trade account as joint or individual. See Appendlix A
for a list of valid codes.

Report the paternal name of the individual with a relationship to the subject.

_ Report the maternal name of ~-the individual with a retationship to the subject. If not available, blank fill.

Report the first name of the individual with a relationship to the sub ect.

Report the middle name of the individual with a r elationship to the subje:ct.
If not available, blank fill.

Used to distinguish Junior, Senior, III, or Esquire. If not available, blank till. See Appendix A for a list of validcodes.

Used to designate the title.
For example, Dr.

o r President. See Appendix A
for a list of valid c odes.

Used to designate the title or position of the b usiness associate. See; Appendix A for a list o f valid codes.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number _ _ NumericOptional Contains the date of biirth for the individual specified in this Segment.
Report in date format.

Contains the gender far the individual specified in this Segment. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Used to designate the type of relationship or business association to the subject identified in the Consuimer Name (04) or Commercial Name (24) segments.
For example, if John Smith is in the "04" segment (base subject) and "Marry"
(John's mother) is in the relationship segment, then "Mary's"

relationship value would be "006002 - Parent of", meaning that "Mar)r" is "John's" mother.

See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Use to designate the rerason an association was terminated. See Appendix A for a fist of valid codes.

Indicates the date on which the account association was terminated.
Report format in date format.

Contains the mailing address for the individual i dentified in this segment and usually includes t he street number, direction, street name, and t ype of thoroughfare. Left justify and blank fill.

Apartment names or numbers should follow t he street name. If the mailing address is a P.O. box or Rural Route, include the Box or Route followed by the number.
For example, P.O. Box 100. Do not ernter credit grantor's address in this field.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number NumericOptional Contains the second line of address information which may include the city and province. Left justify and blank fill any unused portions. Delete the right-most positions if the city name is greater than 23 characters, or use the standard 13-character postal city abbreviations. Separate the city name and province abbreviation by a comma.

Use this field only if three lines of address information are required for an account.

Delete the right-most positions if the city name is greater than XX characters, or use the postal city abbreviations. Left justify and blank fill any unused portions. Do not use internal messages such as:

"Do Not Mail", Attomey", "Charge ofP', and "Fraud." Contact the credit reporting agencies to discuss the use of internal messa es.

1$ POSTAL CODE 15 441-455AN R

Report the postal code of the individual's address. Left 'ustify and blank fill.

Contains the city of the individual's address.

20 DISTRICT NAME _ 30 486-515AN O

indicates the district of the individual's address i f available.

Contains the county of the individual's address i f avaflabie.

22 PROVINCElSTATE NAME 35 546-580AN O

I ndicates the Province .or State of the i ndividual's address if available.

Used to designate the type of address reported i n this segment. See Appendix A for a list of v alid codes.

Field Field Name and Description LengthPositionAlpha/ Required/

Number NumericOptional Used to designate if the address described in this segment is owned or rented.
If not available, blank fill. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the ISO standard country _ abbreviation. See Appendix A
for a list of valid codes.

26 ADDRESS VERiFICA'fION INDICATOR1 596 AN R

Contains a "1" if the address _ reported is known to be the address of an associated individual.

Contains a "0" if the address reported is not a confirmed address.

27 ADDRESS VERIFICA"~fION DATE 8 597-604AN R

This field is used to represent the date in which the ADDRESS was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual ADDRESS for the individual. If this field contains a date, the ADDRESS VERIFICATION field must contain a '1'. Report in date format.

Report the date since f~he individual has been at this address. Report in date format.

Report the ID number of the person specified i n this se ment. Report: in ID
format.

I

Used to designate the type of ID number. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

I

I ndicates whether or not the reported ID has been verified.

0 - ID not verified 1 - ID verified Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number NumericOptional Indicates the date on which the report was verified. Report in date format.
This field is used to represent the date in which the ID was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual ID number for the individual.
If this field contains a date, the ID VERIFICATION

INDICATOR field must contain a '1'. Report in date format.

Used to designate the country code for the telephone. If the counfiry code is not available, zero fill.

Contains the phone nurnber of the individual specified in this segment. If the phone number is not available, blank fill.

Designates the telephone extension.
If the phone extension is not available, blank fill.

Used to designate the fiype of phone number.

See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

INDICATOR

Indicates whether or not the phone number has been verified.

0 - not verified 1 - verified This field is used to represent the date in which t he phone number was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual phone number for t he individual. If this field contains a date, the PHONE NUMBER VERIFICATION

I NDICATOR field must contain a '1'.

Report in date format.

39 SEGMENT SEQUENCE. NUMBER 4 696-699N R

Used to assign a unique sequence number to t he individual described in this segment. If more than one record of this type is used to describe the same knoHm or unknown r elationship, all records must contain the same number.

Field Field Name and Description Length PositionAlpha/ Required/
Number NumericOptional Designates the sub'ect's language.
_ Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 21 (Commercial Financial) Note: This segment is reserved for future use.
Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant of - 21.

Contains the year the t~usiness was started.

Format is YYYY. If not used, zero.

Used to designate the operating' status of a business. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the date of incorporation.
Report in date format.

Indicates where the buainess was incorporated. See AppE:ndix A for a list of valid codes.

Used to designate the primary business. See Appendix A for a fist of valid indust codes.

7 SECONDARY INDUS~'RY CODE 10 37-46 AN O

Used to designate the secondary business.

See Appendix A for a list of valid industry codes.

Used to designate the type of business. See Ap ndix A for a list of valid codes.

Contains the date on which the financial i nformation was reported. Report in date f ormat.

Report the total number of employees for the business. Right justify .and zero fill. If not used zero fill.

Report the current assets value.
Report in amount format.

Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlpha! Requiired/
Number NumericOptional Report the fixed assets value.
Report in amount format.

13 VALUE OF CURRENT' LIABILITIES 15 101-115N R

Report the book value of the current liabilities for the business. Report in amount format.

Report the book value of the long term liabilities for the busineas.
Report in amount format.

Report the annual net income for the business.
Report in amount format.

I ndicates whether the annual income is a positive (gain) or negative (loss) number.
0 - the amount reported is a positive number 1 - the amount reported is a negative number Report the book value of the business equity.
Report in amount format.

Report the book value of the business sales volume. Report in amount format.

Contains the Intematio~nal Standards Organization (ISO) standard currency type code. See Appendix A far a list of valid codes.

Used to designate the scale used in reporting amounts. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 24 (Commercial Name) Note: This segment is reserved for future use.
Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlphal Requiredl Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant of 24.

Report the name of the business.

Used to designate the type of business name.
See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Designates the busines;s's Ian ua e.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 31 (Historical Information) Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAiphal Requiredl Number NumericOptional 1 SEGMENT IDENTIFIER 2 1-2 N~ R

Must contain a constant of 31.

Contains the date for which the payment histo in this se ment is associated.

3 CURRENT BALANCE AMOUNT 15 ~ 11-25 N O

Report the total balance for the month and year reported. Report credit balances (negative balances) as ;zero.
Report in amount format.

Report the amount paid for the month and year reported. Report in amount format.

I ndicates the amount past due for the month and year reported. Report in amount format. If t he account status is current, this field should be zero. Do not include the current amount due i n this field.

Report the terms amount for the month and year reported. Report in amount format.

Contains the amount that has been subtracted f rom the balance due because of a charge to l oss. Report in amount format.

Contains the rate assigned to an account. See Appendix A for a list of walid codes.

Bfank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 41 (Collateral lnformationj Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlphal Requiredl Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant of 41.

2 COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION CODE 6 3-8 AN O*

Used to designate a tyE~e of collateral for the account or loan. If not used, do not report the 41 Segment. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

3 COLLATERAL VALUE 15 9-23 N O*

Report the value of an account or loan collateral. Report in arr~ount format.

4 COLLATERAL DATE 8 24-31 N O*

Report the date on which the account or loan collateral was applied to an account. Report in date format.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Note: At least one of these fields must be supplied.

Segment 61 (Account Number Change) Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAfpha! Required/
Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant of 61.

Contains the new account number assigned to an account. Do not blank fill.
Left justify and space fill. Do not include embedded blanks or special characters.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 71 (Purchased PortfoliolSold To) Note: This segment is reaerved for future use.
Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlpha/ Required/

Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant .of 71.

2 PURCHASED PORTFOhlO OR SOLD 6 3-8 AN R
TO

NAME CODE

Used to designate the name of the company from which the portfolio was purchased or to whom the account was sold.
See Appendix A

for a list of valid codes.

Contains a code representing the type of i nformation being reported.
Values are:

1 - Portfolio purchased from name 2 - Sold to name 3 - Remove previously reported segment i nformation Blank fill.

Blank fill. _ wo oon iss6 pc~rms99nsns Segment 91 (Employment) Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlpha! Required!

Number NumericOptional Must contain a constant of 91.

Report the name of the employer for the consumer reported in the Consumer Name Se ment.

Contains the mailing address for the employer in field 2 and usually includes the street number, direction, street name, and type of thoroughfare. Left justify and blank fill. If the address is unknown, blank fill.

UsuaNy contains the city .and province. Left j usti and blank fill. If unknown, blank fill.

N

Contains the third line of .address _ information for the employer. Left justify and blank fill. If not used, blank fill.

N

Report the postal code of the _ employer's address. Left justify and t~lank fill. If not used, blank fill.

Contains the city of the emplo er's address.

Contains the District of the employer's address.

Report the county of the e;mployer's address if available.

Report the Province or State of the employer's address if available.

Contains the IntemationaN Standards Organization {ISO) country abbreviation.

Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlphal Required/

Number NumericOptional Indicates the title or position for the consumer reported in the Base Segment.
See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

_ Indicates the date on which the consumer was hired. Report in date fom~at.

Indicates the date on which the consumer left the position. Report in date format.

Used to designate the reason why a consumer l eft an employer. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

I ndicates whether or not the consumer's employment has been verified.

Valid values:

1 - employment verified 0 - reported, not verified This field is used to represent the date in which t he employment was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual employment for the subject. If this field contains a date, the EMPLOYMENT VERIFIC~4TION field must contain a '1'. Report in date format.

I ndicates the consumer's ;salary.
Report in amount format.

Used to designate the currency type used to r eport the consumer's salary.
Use the ISO

standard currency type code.
See Appendix A

f or a list of valid codes.

Required if you provided the consumer's s alary. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlpha/ Requiredl Number NumericOptional Indicates whether or not the consumer's salary has been verified.
0 - not verified 1 - verified Indicates the date on which the consumer's sala was verified. Report in date format.

_ Used to designate the type of employment.
See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

The name of the person who can be contacted at the consumer's emplo er.

25 CONTACT POSITION TfTLE CODE 6 527-532AN O

Used to designate the title of the employer contact person. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Used to designate the country t code for the elephone. If the country code is not available, zero fill.

Contains the phone number of the contact person. If the phone number is not available, blank fill.

Designates the telephone extension.
If the phone extension is not available, blank fill.

29 LANGUAGE TYPE CODE. 3 566-568AN O

Desi pates the subject's language.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

45 _ _ Segment 92 (Other Income) Note: This segment is reserved for future use.
Field Field name and (Descriptions Length PositionAiphal Requiredl Number_ _ _ , NumericOptional Must contain a constant of 92.

2 OTHER INCOME TYPE (:ODE 6 3-8 AN R

Used to designate the type of income. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

Report the amount of the other income.

Report in amount format.

Used to designate the frequency at which the reported other income is received. See Appendix A for a list of valid codes.

indicates whether or not the consumer's other income has been verified.

Valid values:

0 - reported, not verified 1 - income verified _ This field is used to represent the date in which the OTHER INCOME was verified by the credit grantor as being the actual OTHER INCOME for the subject.

I f this field contains a date, the OTHER

I NCOME VERIFICATION INDICATOR

field must contain a '1'. Report in date f ormat. .

CODE

Contains the international Standards Organization (ISO) standard currency t ype code. See Appendix .A for a list of valid codes.

The name of the source piroviding the other i ncome.

9 LANGUAGE TYPE CODE: 3 117-119AN R

Designates the subject's language.

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Segment 99 (Trailer Record) Field Field name and nescriptions Length PositionAiphal Required/

Number _ NumericOptional Contains a constant used to identify this record. Re ort the constant 99.

Contains the accumulated total of ail current balance amounts reportedl.
Summarize the amount in the Consumer wand Commercial Base for each Base Segment reported.

Contains the accumulated total of all past due amounts reported. Summarize the amount in the Consumer and Commercial Base for each Bash Se ment reported.

Contains total number of segments being reported in the group. Include the Identification and Totals record.

Contains the total number of consumer base s menu (02).

6 TOTAL OF COMMERCIAI_ BASE SEGMENTS10 53-62 N R

Contains the total number of commercial base se menu 20), zero fill.

Contains the total number of consumer name se ments (04 .

8 TOTAL OF COMMERCIAI_ NAME 10 73-82 N R

SEGMENTS

Contains the total number of commercial name se ments (24).

Contains the total number of address segments (06).

TOTAL OF ID SEGMENTS 10 ' 93-102 N R

Contains the total number of ID segments (08).

Field Field name and Descriptions Length PositionAlphal Required) Number_ NumericO tional Contains the total number of phone segments (10).

Coritains the total number' of relationship segments (12 , zero fill.

SEGMENTS

Contains the total number' of commeraal financial segments (21 ), zero fill.

Contains the total number of historical segments (31 ).

Contains the total number of collateral segments (41 ).

16 TOTAL ACCOUNT NUMEiER CHANGE 10 153-162N R

Contains the total number of account number chap es (61 ).

Contains the total number of items purchased or sold (71 ), zero fill.

Contains the total number of employment se ments (91 ).

19 TOTAL OTHER INCOME 10' 183-192N R

Contains the total for other income (92), zero fill.

Indicates the date on which the media was created. Report in date format.

Contains a number to uniquely identify a record within the group defined by the identification record. If a record number is provided, the credit reporting agency will return with required error reportin .

Blank fill.

Blank fill.

Appendix A: ICCII= Code Types The following table is an alphabetical list of the ICCIF code types and their values. Note that the "name" field corresponds to the field names in each data segment.
Code Type Value/Description Account Status Code;036001 - "Closed"

036002 - "Transferred"

036003 - "Refinanced"

036004 - "Paid - zero balance"

036005 - "Adjustment pending"

036007 - "Open"

036011 - "Paid - was surrender"

036012 - "Paid - was collection"

036013 - "Paid - was repossession"

036014 - "Paid - from collateral"

036015 - "Paid - from guarantor"

036016 - "Paid - was charge-off 036017 - "Paid - was foreclosure"

036018 - "Paid for less than balance"

036019 - "Paid by original"

036021 - "Wage Garnishment"

036022 - "Included in Bankruptcy"

036031 - "Paying - was charge-off"

036032 - "Paying - was collection"

036041 - "Foreclosure started"

036042 - "Deed received"

036043 - "Foreclosure"

036044 - "Voluntary surrender"

036051 - "Filed insurance - government"

036052 - "Filed insurance"

036053 - "Filed against guarantor' 036061 - "Early termination"

036062 - "Account assigned"

036063 - "Merchandise taken back"

036064 - "Balance reported as loss"

036071 - "Could not locate subject - now found"

036072 - "Cannot locate subject"
n"

Code Type Value/Description --Account Status Code036081 - "Suspended"
_ {continued) 036082 - "Account NOT included in bankruptcy"

036083 - "Paid - was public record"

036084 - "Account assumed by third party"

036085 - "Account secured"

036086 - "Arrangement made for partial payment"

036087 - "Paid - from insurance"

036088 - "Payment deferred"

036089 - "Involuntary Repossession"

Account Type Code 039011 - "Bank - Credit/Charge"

039012 - "Retail - Credit/Charge"

039013 - "T&E - CreditlCharge"

039014 - "Personal Line-Of Credit"

039019 - "Other Revolving or Charge/Credit"

039021 - "AutomobileNehicle Loan/Lease"

039022 - "Durable Consumer Goods Loan"

039023 - "Real Estate/Home/Mobile Home Loan"

039024 - "Equity/2nd Home Loan"

039025 - "Education Loan"

039029 - "Other Installment CreditlLoan"

039031 - "Checking Account"

039032 - "Savings Account"

039039 - "Other Banking/Finance Services"

039041 - "Commercial Loan (Primary)"

039042 - "Commercial Loan (Additional)"

039043 - "Commercial Line-Of Credit"

039044 - "Commercial Real Estate Loan"

039049 - "Other Commercial Credit/Loan"

Address Type Code 007001 - "Personal residence"

007002 - "Business"

007003 - "Both residence and business"

007004 - "Military"

007005 - "Previous residence or business"

Amount Multiplier Future use Codes Association Termination044001 - "Closed by Consumer"

Code 044002 - "Closed by Customer"

044003 - "Closed by Operator"

044004 - "Closed by Unknown Source"

Business Title CodeFuture use Code T pe ValueIDesc_ription Business Type Code 058001 - "Corporation"

058002 - "Partnership"

058003 - "Sub S. Corporation"

058004 - "Sole Proprietorship"

058005 - "Joint Venture"

Collateral Description042001 - "Vehicle"
Code 042002 - "House / Building"

042003 - "Real Estate / Land"

042004 - "Cash / Liquid Assets"

042005 - "Equipment / Business Assets"

042006 - "Stocks / Bonds"

042007 - "Accounts Receivable /
Inventory"

042008 - "Other Personal Assets"

Country Name 032 - "Argentina"

068 - "Bolivia"

076 - "Brazil"

124 - "Canada"

152 - "Chile"

222 - "EI Salvador"

320 - "Guatemala"

340 - "Honduras"

484 - "Mexico"

528 - "Netherlands"

558 - "Nicaragua"

604 - "Peru"

826 - "United Kingdom"

840 - "United States"

862 - "Venezuela"

999 - "Other"

Currency Type Code 484 - "Mexican Peso"

840 - "US Dollar"

UD - "UDI"

Employment Type Code021001 - "Full-Time"

021002 - "Part-Time"

021003 - "Commission"

021004 - "Self EmployedlContractor"

Gender Code 002001 - "Female"

002002 - "Male"

Code Type Value/Dascription ID Type Code 009001 - "SSNIRFC"

009002 - "IMSS - Tax ID"

009003 - "Driver's License"

009004 - "Passport"

009005 - "Professional License"

009006 - "IFE - Voter's Registration"

009007 - "DUNS"

Industry Code 011100 - "Financial Services"

011110 - "Bank"

011122 - "Automotive Financing"

011123 - "Home Mortgage Financing"

011124 - "Business Financing"

011125 - "Savings & Loan"

011126 - "Credit Union"

011130 - "Security Broker / Dealer"

011140 - "Debt Collector"

011200 - "Merchandise Trade WholesalelRetail"

011201 - "Department Store"

011210 - "Clothing Store"

011231 - "AutomobilelTruck DealerlRental"

011233 - "Mobile Home Dealer"

011260 - "Restaurant - Food/Drink"

011261 - "Grocery Store"

011301 - "Non-Profit Trade Association"

011311 - "Jewelry Store"

011312 - "Pharmacy"

011360 - "Entertainment / Sports"

011376 - "Membership Club"

011382 - "Catalog Merchant"

011400 - "Consumer 8 Business Services"

011440 - "Business Services" .

011441 - "Marketing / Advertising"

011452 - "Data Processing Services"

011453 - "Consulting Services"

011461 - "Automobile Rental & Leasing"

011490 - "Hotel / Motel Industry"

011495 - "Travel Agency"

011500 - "Manufacturing / Agriculture"

011510 - "Construction Contracting"

Code Type ValueIDescriptfon Industry Code (continued)011511 - "General Contractor -Residential"

011512 - "Heating, Plumbing, Central Air"

011513 - "Electrical Contractor"

011514 - "Masonry/Stonework/TilesIPlaster"

011515 - "Carpentry"

011516 - "Roofing, Siding, Sheet Metal"

011517 - "Concrete Work Contractor"

011518 - "Special Trade Contractor"

011530 - "Agriculture / Forestry"

011531 - "Agricultural Cooperatives"

011532 - "Landscape 8~ Horticulture Services"

011590 - "Miscellaneous Manufacturing"

011700 - "Utilities, Fuel, Transportation"

011711 - "Electric I Gas"

011713 - "Water"

011720 - "Mining / Petroleum"

011730 - "Telephone / Communications"

011750 - "Passenger Transportation"

011751 - "Airline / Air Can'iers"

011752 - "Bus Line, Charters, Tour Buses"

011753 - "Suburb/Commuter Passenger Train"

011754 - "Ambulance Services"

011755 - "Taxicabs / Limousines"

011756 - "Steamship / Cruise Line"

011757 - "Boat Rentals & Leases"

011758 - "Marinas, Marine Services I Supplies"

011773 - "Railroads"

011780 - "Freight I Trucking I Railroad"

011781 - "Motor Freight Carrier, Trucking"

011782 - "Courier Services Air/Ground/Freight"

011783 - "Public Warehousing"

011800 - "Insurance"

011900 - "Government / Education"

011910 - "Miscellaneous Government"

011911 - "Local Government"

011912 - "State Government"

011913 - "Federal Government"

011920 - "Military"

011940 - "Miscellaneous Education"

011942 - "College I University"

011943 - "Business School"

011945 - "Vocational Training"

011950 - "Medical / Health Services"

Code Type Value/Description Industry Code (continued)011953 - "Dentistry"

011960 - "Hospital / Health Care"

011971 - "Child/Elder Care Facility"

011973 - "Veterinary Services"

011974 - "Accounting"

011975 - "Legal Services"

011976 - "Real Estate Agency"

011977 - "En ineering"

Language Type Code 187 - "English"

001 - "Spanish"

Location Of Incorporation031001 - "Federal"

Code 031002 - "State"

031003 - "Regional"

031004 - "City"

Name Suffix Code 005001 - "Jrr, 005002 - "Sr", 005011 - "1 st or I"

005012 - "2nd or II"

005013 - "3rd or III"

005014 - "4th or IV"

005015 - "5th or V"

005016 - "6th or VI"

005017 - "7th or VII"

005018 - "8th or VIII"

005019 - "9th or IX"

Name Title Code 006100 - "Personal"

006200 - "Professional"

006300 - "Business"

006400 - "Educational" .

006500 - "Government"

006600 - "Religious"

006700 - "Military"

Name Type (Commercial)028001 - "Doing Business As"

028002 - "Legal"

028003 - "Previous"

Name Type Code 004001 - "Current Name"

(Consumer) 004002 - "Also Known As Name"

004003 - "Previous (Maiden) Name"

Code Type ValueIDescription Occupation Type 023011 - "Management and Government"
Code 023013 - "Business and Financial Operations"

023015 - "Computer and Mathematical"

023017 - "Architecture and Engineering"

023019 - "Life, Physical and Social Science"

023021 - "Medical and Health"

023023 - "Community and Social Services"

023025 - "Legal Operations"

023027 - "Education, Training and Library"

023029 - "Arts, Entertainment, Media, Sports"

023031 - "Sales"

023033 - "Office and Administration"

023035 - "Protective Operations"

023037 - "Food Preparation and Serving"

023039 - "Buildings and Grounds Maintenance"

023041 - "Personal Care and Service"

023043 - "Farming, Forestry and Fishing"

023045 - "Construction and Extractive"

023047 - "Installation, Maintenance, Repair"

023049 - "Manufacturing"

023051 - "Transportation, Material Moving"

023053 - "Milita "

Operating Status 029001 - "Active"
Code 029002 - "Pending"

029003 - "I n-Active"

029004 - "Closed"

029011 - "Banknrptcy Filed"

029012 - "Bankruptcy Completed"

Other Income Frequency013001 - "Hourly"

Code 013002 - "Daily"

0 13003 - "Weekly"

013004 - "Bi-Weekly"

013005 - "Semi-Monthly"

013006 - "Monthly"

013007 - "Annually"

Other Income Type 056001 - "Alimony"

056002 - "Child Support"

056003 - "Investment Earnings"

056004 - "Trust"

056005 - "Lottery"

55 -' Code Type __ ValueIDescription Ownership Code 016000 - "Undesignated"

016001 - "Individual"

016002 - "Joint Shared"

016003 - "Joint Contractual Liability"

016004 - "Authorized User"

016005 - "Maker"

016006 - "Co-Maker"

016007 - "On-Behalf Of 016011 - "Account Terminated"

016012 - "Delete Borrower"

016013 - "Subject Deceased or Out-Of Business"

016014 - "Guarantor"

Phone Country Code 1 - "United States"

1 - "Canada"

44 - "United Kingdom"

51 - "Peru"

52 - "Mexico"

54 - "Argentina"

55 _ "Brazil"

56 - "Chile"

502 - "Guatemala"

503 - "EI Salvador"

504 - Honduras"

505 - "Nicaragua"

591 - "Bolivia"

599 - "Netherlands"

994 - "Venezuela"

Phone Number Type 012001 - "Residence Telephone"
Code 012002 - "Residence Fax Machine"

012003 - "Personal Cellular"

012004 - "Work Telephone"

012005 - "Work Fax Machine"

012009 - "Other / Unknown"

Portfolio Type Code038001 - "Installment"

038002 - "Revolving"

038003 - "Open"

038004 - "Line of Credit"

038005 - "Checking"

038006 - "Savings"

038007 - "Mortgage"

Code Type ValueIDescription Position Title Code024001 - "Human Resources"

024002 - "Supervisor"

024003 - "Manager"

024004 - "Company Executive"

024005 - "Principal/Owne~' 024006 - "Other"

Rate Code 037000 - "0 - Too new to rate/no experience"

037001 - "1 - Current, less than 2 payments past due"

037002 - "2 - 30 to 59 days, less than 3 payments past due"

037003 - "3 - 60 to 89 days, less than 4 payments past due"

037004 - "4 - 90 to 119 days, less than 5 payments past due"

037005 - "5 - 120+ days, 5 or more payments past due"

037007 - "7 - Making payments/wage earner plan*

037008 - "8 - Repossession"

037009 - "9 - Charged off to bad debt"

Reason Left Code 022001 - "Another Position"

022002 - "Retirement"

022003 - "Death"

022004 - "Military Obligation"

022009 - "Miscellaneous Voluntary"

022011 - "Job Elimination"

022012 - "Laid-Off - Downsizing"

022013 - "Resigned after notice of dismissal"

022019 - "Miscellaneous Involunta "

Relationship Code Consumer to Consumer060001 - "Spouse of 060002 - "Parent of 060003 - "Sibling oP' 061002 - "Child oP' Consumer to 062001 - "Is a Principal of Commercial 062002 - "Is an Owner of 063001 - "Has a Principal who is"

Commercial to 063002 - "Has an Owner who is"

Consumer 064001 - "Operates"

064002 - "Is Parent Company of Commercial to 065001 - "Is Operated by"

Commercial 066002 - "Is a Subsidiary Company of Code Type Value/Description Salary Frequency 013001 - "Hourly"
Code 013002 - "Daily"

013003 - "Weekly"

013004 - "Bi-Weekly"

013005 - "Semi-Monthly"

013006 - "Monthly"

013007 - "Annually"

Special Comments 187001 - "Item in dispute - reported Code by supplier"

187002 - "Subject disputed-resolved by credit grantor-subject disagrees"

187003 - "Special handling-contact credit grantor for additional information"

187011 - "Payroll deduction"

187021 - "Payments affected by natural disaster"

187022 - "Subject recalled to military active duty"

187023 - "Lost or stolen card"

187031 - "Reported fraud account"

187061 - "No record of account by credit grantor"

187091 - "Item in dispute - resolution pending"

Terms Frequency 040001 - "Daily"
Type Code 040002 - "Weekly"

040003 - "Bi-Weekly"

040004 - "Semi-Monthly"

040005 - "Monthly"

040006 - "Bi-Monthly"

040007 - "Quarterly"

040008 - "Semi-Annual"

040009 - "Annually"

040011 - "Net 30"

040012 - "Cash-In-Advance"

040013 - "Cash-On-Delivery"

040019 - "Amount Deferred"

Claims (30)

What is claimed is:

1. A method of communicating information between a client source and a network database, comprising the steps of:
a. receiving an input of network database update information from the client source at an input port to the database;
b. interpreting coding fields within the network database update information to the network database; and c. updating the network database according to the input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of interpreting comprises the step of examining the coding fields of the input to associate information fields in the input with information fields in the network database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network database comprises a credit file.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the input comprises information transmitted from a financial record recorded in a different denomination than the information fields of the network database.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of translating the financial information from a first denomination to a second denomination according to an exchange rate.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the exchange rate is updated periodically.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating an update to a second network database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network database stores records according to the International Consumer and Commercial Input format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises at least one of consumer information and vendor information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information fields of the network database are extensible.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the network database receives information from the source in a country or origin different than a country of recordation of the information shared by the database.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the network database comprises a relational database.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting information to a foreign country.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a report request for credit information in a specified format.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the specified format comprises at least one of designated language, designated currency denomination and designated other information.

16. A system for communicating information between a client source and a network database, comprising:
an input port, the input port being connected to the network database and receiving an input of network database update information from the client source;
a processor unit, connected to the input port, the processor unit interpreting coding fields within the network database update information to the network database and updating the network database according to the input.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor unit interprets the coding fields by examining the coding fields of the input to associate information fields in the input with information fields in the network database.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the network database comprises a credit file.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the input comprises information transmitted from a financial record recorded in a different denomination than the information fields of the network database.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor unit translates the financial information from a first denomination to a second denomination according to an exchange rate.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the exchange rate is updated periodically.

22. The system of claim 16, further an output port connected to the network database, the output port communicating an update to a second network database.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the network database stores records according to the International Consumer and Commercial Input format.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the database comprises at least one of consumer information and vendor information.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the information fields of the network database are extensible.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the network database receives information from the source in a country or origin different than a country of recordation of the information shared by the database.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the network database comprises a relational database.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor unit transmits information to a foreign country.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor unit receives a report request for credit information in a specified format.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the specified format comprises at least one of designated language, designated currency denomination and designated other information.