How long do Creditors need to retain records of credit applications?
William Jenkins
Updated on February 19, 2026
25 months
For 25 months (12 months for business credit, except as provided for in the “special rule for certain business credit applications”) after the date that a creditor receives an application for which the creditor is not required to comply with the notification requirements of § 1002.9, the creditor shall retain all …
How long does a business need to keep credit applications?
Answer: According to section 202.12 creditors must retain applications for 25 months for consumers and 12 months for business credit applications. The ‘clock’ on retention begins on the date that a creditor notifies an applicant of action taken on an application or of incompleteness.
How long do you have to keep credit applications?
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) requires you to keep a copy of a credit application for 25 months after notifying a consumer about the action to take on the application. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) does not impose a specific record-retention requirement related to adverse action notices.
How long must financial institutions keep records of applications?
five years
In general, the BSA requires that a bank maintain most records for at least five years. These records can be maintained in many forms including original, microfilm, electronic, copy, or a reproduction.
What is the statute of limitations on FCRA claims?
The FCRA provides for a two-year statute of limitation from the date of discovery of the FCRA violation, as well as a statute of repose requiring that FCRA claims be brought within five years of the date of the FCRA violation.
What can you ask credit applicants?
Asking detailed personal information regarding marital status, such as whether you are widowed or divorced. Creditors are only permitted to ask if you are married, unmarried or separated. Inquiring about marital status if you are applying for credit independently.
Do you have to provide original credit card statement?
You could conceivably find yourself in court with the plaintiff — either the original lender or a debt collector — offering the judge everything but the original contract you signed. The documentation might include an account statement or several statements, or a standard, unsigned agreement that applies to all cardholders.
Is it good to have client credit card info on file?
They generally allow you to enter client card info once and then later you can apply charges to those cards without having to see the actual card info ever again (except, perhaps, for the last 4 digits of the card number) — this is a very good thing for your clients’ security and privacy. Many such services exist and have low costs.
How long do banks keep credit card information on file?
Think things like proof of payment and other transactions. Again, “there is no rule, but other laws, like the Fair Credit Reporting Act, make having the information important.” A cursory search online found several banks hold onto information for about seven years.
How does a bank consider your income before issuing a credit card?
Under rules implemented by the Credit CARD Act, banks must consider your ability to pay your debt before issuing the card, and before granting an increase in your credit limit. The ratio of debt obligations to income, debt to assets or “the income the consumer will have after paying debt obligations.”