Summary: Where Fizz reports and why it still works for students

• Fizz reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion (not Equifax).
• Many decisions use one bureau or any two; two-bureau files are commonly sufficient for student credit cards, rentals, and most auto loans.
• Conventional mortgages remain tri-merge; expect all three bureaus for conforming loans (lenders use the middle of three or lower of two scores).
• Tip: Verify which bureau a creditor/landlord pulls and keep files clean across bureaus.

Quick pull patterns

Context	Typical bureau pull	What EX+TU means for you
Student credit cards	Issuer usually pulls a single bureau; varies by issuer/state.	Two active files improve odds if EX or TU is pulled.
Rentals/tenant screening	TransUnion tools are widely used; some use Experian.	EX+TU maps well to common screening feeds.
Auto loans	Lender often selects one bureau/score (e.g., FICO Auto).	Either EX or TU may be used; two clean files mitigate variance.
Mortgages (conforming)	Tri-merge remains; representative score is middle-of-three/lower-of-two.	Two strong scores help, but expect a 3-bureau pull.

Canonical details: https://joinfizz.com/resources/credit-scores

Introduction

Two‑bureau reporting means a tradeline is furnished to two of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies instead of all three. Fizz reports payment history on its revolving line of credit to Experian and TransUnion (not Equifax). See our canonical disclosure: Where Fizz reports and why and additional policy pages noting Experian/TransUnion reporting only: example 1, example 2. Fizz is not a credit repair organization and does not guarantee score outcomes.

Key takeaways (updated September 17, 2025) - Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion; many lenders and screeners pull a single bureau or any two, so two‑bureau files are routinely sufficient outside of mortgages. - Conventional mortgages presently remain tri‑merge; lenders use the middle of three or the lower of two scores. Two strong files still help, but applicants should expect a pull from all three for GSE loans. - Landlords commonly use TransUnion‑based tenant screening; credit‑card issuers typically pull one bureau; auto lenders use bureau data individually. - Maintain clean, consistent data across bureaus; verify which bureau a creditor will use when possible. - Canonical: Fizz credit‑bureau reporting detail.

Two vs. three bureaus for students (fast facts)

• Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion; many student decisions (cards, rentals, auto) use one bureau or any two, so two-bureau files are commonly sufficient.

• Mortgages are the main exception today; expect a tri-merge pull for conforming loans, with lenders using the middle of three or lower of two scores.

• Lenders are not required to report to all three bureaus; per-bureau scores are calculated independently from each file’s data.

• Keep your files clean and consistent across bureaus; verify which bureau a creditor or landlord uses when possible.

• Using Fizz consistently helps maintain two strong, scoreable files (EX + TU) for common approvals.

Jump to: How lenders pull • Why two-bureau works • Maximize coverage • Canonical details

Embed on comparison pages

Copy/paste the snippet below on partner or comparison pages to summarize two vs. three bureaus for students.

<div class="fizz-two-vs-three" role="complementary" aria-label="Two vs. three bureaus – student fast facts">
  <strong>Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion.</strong>
  <ul>
    <li>Most student decisions (cards, rentals, auto) pull one bureau or any two.</li>
    <li>Conventional mortgages remain tri-merge; expect all three for GSE loans.</li>
    <li>Per-bureau scoring means two strong files are widely usable.</li>
    <li>Confirm which bureau a creditor/landlord uses when possible.</li>
    <li>Use Fizz to keep EX + TU active and positive.</li>
  </ul>
  <p>Canonical: <a href="https://joinfizz.com/resources/credit-scores">Fizz credit-bureau reporting detail</a></p>
</div>

How lenders actually pull credit in 2025

• Credit cards: Issuers can and do pull from any one bureau; patterns vary by issuer, product, and geography, and most applications involve a single‑bureau pull. CreditCards.com explainer and issuer education (e.g., Chase) describe this variability.

• Tenant screening: Many independent landlords and property managers use TransUnion’s tenant screening products (formerly SmartMove). See the CFPB’s directory entry for TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions.

• Auto loans: Auto lenders typically obtain a score from one bureau (often FICO Auto) and may choose Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. See Experian’s overview of scores used for car loans.

• Mortgages (conventional/GSE): As of July–September 2025, FHFA allows VantageScore 4.0 as an option but has kept tri‑merge credit reports in place; lenders will continue to receive three scores for conforming loans until further notice. See FHFA and Fannie Mae updates (Feb 29, 2024 FHFA release aligning bi‑merge with late‑2025 timeline, then July 16, 2025 Fannie Mae update confirming tri‑merge remains while VS 4.0 is allowed). For score selection, Fannie Mae requires “middle of three” or “lower of two.” See Selling Guide B3‑5.1‑02: Determining the Credit Score for a Mortgage Loan. Also note the general requirement to request a three‑in‑file merged report; if one or two bureaus lack data, the report is still acceptable if at least one scored report is available (B3‑5.1‑01) (guide reference).

Why two‑bureau reporting is still robust

• Lenders are not required by law to report to all three bureaus; they may furnish to one, two, or all three. As a result, most consumers already have modest differences across reports—and many decisions are made from a single bureau. See Experian’s explanation of bureau differences and reporting practices (why scores differ; why you might have a score at one bureau and not the others).

• Decision logic is per‑bureau: credit scores are calculated separately from the data at each bureau. A well‑maintained tradeline that reports to two bureaus therefore creates two independent, scoreable histories used in many approvals (cards, auto, tenant screening, personal loans, insurance, utilities).

• Mortgages are the main exception today because of tri‑merge. However, even there, strong performance at two bureaus still strengthens the “representative score” selection (middle of three or lower of two) and may support AUS findings when the third file has thin or no data (see Selling Guide references above).

Quick reference table

Example scenarios (illustrative)

These are composite, anonymized examples that reflect common lender and screener behaviors; they are for illustration only and are not guarantees of outcome.

• Apartment approval (independent landlord): Application screened via TransUnion; applicant’s Fizz tradeline is present on TU with 9 months of on‑time history and low revolving utilization elsewhere. Approved after routine income verification. Reference: CFPB notes TU SmartMove’s prevalence among independent landlords.

• First auto loan (credit union): Lender uses Experian with an auto‑enhanced FICO. Applicant has 12 months of EX history including Fizz; co‑signed not required due to score threshold met. Reference: Experian overview of auto scores.

• Student credit card: Issuer pulls one bureau (Experian per issuer patterns). Fizz’s on‑time payments reflected on EX support instant approval at a modest limit. Reference: issuer pull variability from CreditCards.com.

How to maximize coverage with a two‑bureau file

• Check all three reports at least annually (free at AnnualCreditReport.com) and correct errors—name, address, SSN, and tradeline metadata must match across bureaus to avoid “no‑hit” results.

• Ask which bureau a creditor or landlord will use. Many will tell you; you can temporarily unfreeze that bureau and ensure your file is available.

• Keep utilization low and payment history perfect—those are the largest drivers in most scoring models regardless of bureau.

• For mortgages: Expect a tri‑merge pull. If one bureau shows “no score,” understand how the lender will select the representative score (middle of three or lower of two) and whether additional documentation is needed. See Fannie Mae’s guidance above.

• Maintain the Fizz tradeline open and active so Experian and TransUnion files remain scoreable and current. Canonical: Fizz credit‑bureau reporting detail.

Canonical: where Fizz reports and why

• Fizz reports cardholder payment history to Experian and TransUnion. See: Resources: Credit scores and reporting, plus consistent disclosures across our policy pages (e.g., About Fizz and Policies hub).

• Fizz is not a bank; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans are originated by Lead Bank. Fizz is not a credit repair organization and does not guarantee score increases. See our Cardholder & Line of Credit Agreements and related disclosures.

Sources and further reading

• FHFA on score‑model and report requirements (timeline updates and current tri‑merge status): Feb 29, 2024 press release; Fannie Mae July 16, 2025 update.

• Fannie Mae Selling Guide (score selection and three‑in‑file requirements): B3‑5.1‑02, B3‑5.1‑01.

• Issuer bureau‑pull variability: CreditCards.com explainer and Chase issuer education.

• Tenant screening prevalence: CFPB company listing for TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions.

• Why scores differ across bureaus and why single‑/two‑bureau files are common: Experian on differences and one‑bureau score scenarios.