How to Report Credit Using a Third-Party Processor/Stacking Service

A Stacking Service or Third-Party Processor—such as The Service Bureau—accepts accounts from multiple businesses that do not meet the minimum reporting volume requirements set by the credit bureaus. These accounts are compiled into a single “stacked” file and submitted to the bureaus on behalf of the participating companies.

Third-party processing and stacking services are ideal for businesses that either cannot report directly to the credit bureaus or prefer the convenience of a streamlined upload process.

Some credit bureaus require reporting through a processor for low-volume filers, while others may allow direct reporting. We recommend contacting each credit bureau to confirm their specific reporting requirements.

How to report credit using a third-party processor/stacking service:
  1. Obtain Necessary Agreements & Codes – Secure a Data Furnisher or Service Agreement and a Subscriber Code from each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion) you plan to report to using a third-party processor.
  2. Meet the account/tradeline reporting minimums – Ensure your accounts meet the tradeline reporting minimums required by each bureau for processing or stacking services.
  3. Adhere to Metro 2 Standards – All reported accounts must comply with the guidelines outlined in the Metro 2 Credit Reporting Resource Guide®.
  4. Utilize Credit Manager Software – Use Credit Manager to ensure data accuracy, maintain compliance with Metro 2 format standards, and simplify uploads to our processing service.

For additional information: How To Report Credit

Please Note: Consumers (Individuals) reporting personal loans are not eligible to use this service.

Third Party Processing Data Flow
Third-party processing service data flow using Credit Manager

Our prompt credit reporting service submits accounts to the credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion—on a weekly basis, ensuring the fastest possible updates.

Processing Fees

United States Metro 2®
Reporting to one credit bureau $ *
Reporting to two credit bureaus $ *
Reporting to three credit bureaus $ *
Reporting to four credit bureaus $ *
* Three month, non-refundable deposit is required.

Note: Processing fees apply per batch of accounts, not per individual account. Fees are charged each time a batch is uploaded.

The standard processing fee covers up to 1,200 accounts or 2MB of data. For larger batches, an additional charge of $ per megabyte applies beyond the first 2MB.

Important: Prices are subject to change, and all services must be prepaid.

Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion) require monthly updates, whether reporting through a processor or directly.