How many repayment history months must each eligible trade line have to meet USDA requirements?

To comply with USDA requirements, each eligible trade line must demonstrate a repayment history of at least 12 months. This criterion is essential as it helps establish the borrower's creditworthiness and ability to manage debt effectively. A 12-month repayment history provides a comprehensive view of the borrower's financial behavior, allowing lenders to assess whether they consistently meet their financial obligations over a significant period.

A shorter history, such as 6 months, would not provide enough information about the borrower's financial habits and reliability. Similarly, lengths like 18 or 24 months exceed the requirement, thus not aligning with the minimum necessary for USDA loan evaluations. The focus on 12 months strikes a balance between giving lenders confidence in the borrower's financial management while maintaining a reasonable timeframe for borrowers to demonstrate their creditworthiness.