How to Remove STPC/CBNA From Your Credit Report

If you’ve spotted STPC/CBNA on your credit report, you might be wondering what it means—and if it’s hurting your credit. Here’s exactly what that code is, how it affects your credit score, and what steps you can take to deal with it.

What Is STPC/CBNA on Your Credit Report?

STPC/CBNA shows up on your credit report when you apply for a Staples credit card. These cards are issued by Citibank North America, which is where the CBNA part of the code comes from.

Whenever you apply for a Staples credit card, Citibank runs a hard inquiry to check your credit history. That inquiry gets logged on your credit report under the code STPC/CBNA.

Why STPC/CBNA Appears on Your Credit Report

In most cases, STPC/CBNA appears because you submitted an application for a Staples credit card. Even if your application wasn’t approved, the inquiry still shows up as a record that you applied for new credit.

In rare situations, this code might also appear if someone added you as an authorized user on their Staples credit card. However, hard inquiries are typically tied to direct applications, not authorized users.

If you didn’t apply for a Staples credit card, the inquiry could be a sign of a reporting error—or possible identity theft.

How STPC/CBNA Hard Inquiries Affect Your Credit

Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score, but the impact is usually small—just a few points. The effect is short-lived, but too many inquiries within a short window can make lenders cautious.

Here’s why that matters:

• Multiple inquiries signal risk: Applying for several credit accounts around the same time can make it look like you’re in financial trouble, even if you’re not.
• Inquiries stay for two years: While the biggest credit score impact happens in the first few months, inquiries remain on your credit report for up to 24 months.

It’s smart to be selective with credit applications to avoid stacking up unnecessary hard inquiries.

How Long Does STPC/CBNA Stay on Your Credit Report?

Hard inquiries like STPC/CBNA remain on your credit report for two years. The good news is the negative impact fades over time, and after 24 months, the inquiry automatically drops off.

During those two years:

• Lenders can see the inquiry when reviewing your credit.
• The effect on your credit score weakens the longer it’s there.
• You can’t remove legitimate inquiries early—they stay until they expire.

How to Handle Unauthorized STPC/CBNA Inquiries

If you see STPC/CBNA on your credit report and you didn’t apply for a Staples credit card, take action quickly to protect your credit.

Here’s what to do:

• Contact Citibank North America: Reach out to Citibank and ask for details about the inquiry. They can confirm whether the inquiry is tied to your personal information.
• Dispute the inquiry with the credit bureaus: If Citibank verifies that the inquiry was unauthorized or made in error, file a dispute with the credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to get it removed.
• Monitor your credit: Keep an eye on your credit reports regularly to catch mistakes or fraudulent activity early.

You can get free copies of your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Can You Remove STPC/CBNA From Your Credit Report?

If the STPC/CBNA inquiry is legitimate, it cannot be removed early. It will stay on your credit report for two years and fall off automatically.

But if the inquiry was unauthorized or the result of an error, you have the right to dispute it and request removal.

If you’re unsure how to handle disputes or want help improving your credit, working with a professional credit repair service is an option.

Need Help Removing Inquiries or Other Negative Marks?

Credit Saint is one of the most established credit repair companies in the country. They work with people to challenge inaccurate or questionable information on their credit reports, including:

• late payments
• collections
• charge-offs
• foreclosures
• repossessions
• bankruptcies

They even offer a 90-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind.

If bad credit is holding you back, get started with a free consultation from Credit Saint. They can help you work toward a stronger credit profile and better financial opportunities.