Was there some sort of change that we are supposed to use all 9's if there is not a MSA for the census tract we are geocoding? My geocoding/reporting software puts a "NA" if there isn't a MSA.

I believe either is acceptable. Our software does the 9999 thing.

I believe you are supposed to enter "NA" although the numbering convention used by the Census Bureau is 99999 for non-metro areas. I don't have time to check now, but I am certain that is addressed in the HMDA Getting It Right Guide

For reporting you must use NA. The Census Bureau assigns 99999 for all non-metro areas, and thus nearly all geocoding software systems insert 99999 when they give you the information. When you collect the data for transmittal, make sure you use NA.

Many programs that we all use for CRA will only take 9999 (part of the geocoding issues). Or I guess 99999 this year? 999999 next year? anyhoo

So for many of us, we enter 9999etc in our geocoding software and CRA analysis programs because the program defaults won't allow NA.

When we submit, most of these programs convert the 9999999999 entries to NA which is the only allowed entry for submission.

Yeah, what Dawnie said.

LOL Actually it's what Natasha says (she does the data entry). I read the question and was curious