TradelineCredit Repair Definition
An entry on your credit report representing a credit account, detailing its history and status.
Definition
A tradeline is an entry on your credit report that represents an individual credit account you have with a lender. Each tradeline provides specific details about that account, including the creditor's name, account type (e.g., credit card, mortgage, auto loan), account number (usually partial), date opened, credit limit or original loan amount, current balance, payment history, and account status (e.g., open, closed, paid, delinquent). Credit bureaus use the information from your tradelines to calculate your credit score. Having a mix of positive tradelines (accounts paid on time with low balances) is essential for building a good credit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of information does a tradeline include?
A tradeline typically includes the creditor's name, account type, account number (often truncated), date the account was opened, credit limit or loan amount, current balance, payment history (showing on-time or late payments), and current status (e.g., open, closed, past due).
How do tradelines affect my credit score?
Tradelines are the building blocks of your credit score. Positive information (on-time payments, low credit card balances, long account history) on your tradelines helps improve your score. Negative information (late payments, high balances, collections) hurts your score.
What is an authorized user tradeline?
An authorized user tradeline appears on your credit report when you are added as an authorized user to someone else's credit card. The history of that primary account (both positive and negative) can then be reflected on your report and influence your credit score, though some newer scoring models may weigh these less heavily than your own primary accounts.
Related Terms
Category
Need Credit Help?
Discover tools and resources to help improve your credit score and financial health.