How to Remove TBOM/TFC From Your Credit Report

TBOM/TFC on your credit report combines two names that most people don’t recognize on sight. TBOM stands for The Bank of Missouri, and TFC stands for Tidewater Finance Company.

Tidewater Finance is a subprime auto lender that works with car dealerships across the country to provide financing for buyers who may not qualify for traditional auto loans. Since 2018, The Bank of Missouri has served as Tidewater’s lending partner, which is why their name appears alongside Tidewater’s on credit reports.

If you’ve recently financed a vehicle through a dealership that works with Tidewater Finance, this entry is almost certainly connected to that transaction.

What Is TBOM/TFC on Your Credit Report?

TBOM/TFC is the combined credit bureau code for The Bank of Missouri and Tidewater Finance Company. Tidewater Finance operates as an indirect auto lender, meaning they don’t work directly with borrowers. Instead, they partner with over 800 independent and franchise car dealerships across the United States.

When a dealer submits a buyer’s financing application to Tidewater, The Bank of Missouri runs the credit check, and the inquiry or account shows up on your credit report as TBOM/TFC.

This entry can appear as a hard inquiry from a loan application, or as a tradeline if you have or previously had an active auto loan through Tidewater.

Why TBOM/TFC Appears on Your Credit Report

Because Tidewater Finance works through dealerships rather than directly with consumers, this entry can show up without the connection being immediately obvious. Common situations that generate it include:

• Dealership financing application: When you apply for financing at a dealership that works with Tidewater Finance, your application may be submitted to Tidewater among other lenders, generating a hard inquiry even if you ultimately financed through a different lender.
• Active or closed auto loan: If you were approved for financing through Tidewater, the loan appears on your credit report as a tradeline and is reported monthly to all three major credit bureaus.
• Unauthorized inquiry: If someone used your personal information to apply for auto financing through a Tidewater-partnered dealership without your knowledge, the hard inquiry still appears on your credit report.

How TBOM/TFC Affects Your Credit Score

A hard inquiry from The Bank of Missouri causes a small dip in your credit score, typically just a few points. One inquiry is not a serious concern. If you were shopping for a car and submitted applications at multiple dealerships within a short window, most credit scoring models group those auto loan inquiries together and treat them as a single inquiry, which limits the damage from rate shopping.

If you have an active Tidewater auto loan, your payment history is what drives the impact on your credit score. On-time payments build positive history. Missed payments can significantly damage your credit score and stay on your credit report for seven years.

How Long TBOM/TFC Stays on Your Credit Report

The timeline depends on the type of entry. Hard inquiries remain for two years and drop off automatically. Active loan accounts stay on your credit report as long as the loan is open and for up to 10 years after it closes in good standing. Negative marks like late payments or a repossession stay for seven years from the date of the first missed payment.

What to Do If You Don’t Recognize the TBOM/TFC Entry

Because Tidewater Finance works through dealerships rather than directly with borrowers, it’s possible to have a TBOM/TFC entry without immediately connecting it to a specific transaction. Think back to any recent car purchases or financing applications before assuming something is wrong.

If you still can’t account for it, here’s what to do:

• Contact Tidewater Finance directly: Ask them to identify which dealership submitted the application and when. That information will usually connect the entry to a specific transaction.
• Dispute with the credit bureaus: If Tidewater cannot verify that you authorized the inquiry or loan, file a formal dispute with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Include your personal details and a written explanation of why the entry should be removed from your credit report.
• Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: If you suspect identity theft, a fraud alert requires lenders to verify your identity before approving new applications. A credit freeze provides stronger protection by blocking new credit entirely until you lift it.

Tidewater Finance Company Contact Information

If you need to reach Tidewater Finance to ask about a TBOM/TFC entry, here is their contact information:

Phone (General): (800) 535-4087

Phone (Auto Loan Questions): (888) 413-1082

Mailing Address: Tidewater Finance Company, 6520 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Bottom Line

TBOM/TFC on your credit report is The Bank of Missouri reporting activity on a Tidewater Finance auto loan or application. Because Tidewater works through dealerships, the connection isn’t always obvious, especially if your application was submitted to multiple lenders at the same time.

If you recognize the transaction, the entry is legitimate and will follow the standard timeline for hard inquiries or loan tradelines. If you don’t, contact Tidewater Finance to find out which dealership submitted the application, and dispute the entry with the credit bureaus if you can’t verify it was authorized.