chapter 5 credit management what is credit? credit is created/extended when a consumer acquires...
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Chapter 5 Credit Management
•What is Credit?Credit is created/extended when a consumer acquires money, goods, and services based on an agreement with lender called a LOAN.
The loan states that credit is extended for– a specified period of time with– a specified rate of interest
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•The Bad News About Credit– Americans are becomingly increasingly
dependent on credit– Credit encourages people to live beyond
their means, leading to financial disaster
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Classifying Consumer Credit– Revolving or Open-ended
• Consumers make purchases up to certain limit
• Finance charge on unpaid balance
• Regular 30-day charge accounts (open-ended) balance must be paid off each month (Amex)
– Installment Loans• Repayment of loan plus interest on regular basis
• Home mortgage loan an example
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•How Much Should You Borrow?– It is IMPORTANT to set DEBT LIMITS
Rule of thumb for borrowing– No more than 10 - 20% of take-home
pay should be used to pay installment debt
– Mortgage debt should be excluded in this calculation
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•The Right Reasons for Borrowing
Purchasing large goods and services
Emergencies
Taking advantage of opportunities
Convenience
Establishing credit
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•The Wrong Reasons to Borrow
Using credit to live beyond your means
Examples:• To meet basic living expenses• To make impulse purchases• To purchase short-lived goods and
services
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•National Credit Cards– Issued by large corporations as well as financial
institutions
– Consumer controls how to pay it off• Balance paid off each time -- usually no interest
is charged
• Balance not paid off in full -- finance charge incurred
– Still one of the most expensive sources of credit
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Retail Credit Cards– Good only in stores where issued– Rates comparable to those charged on bank
credit cards
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Consumer Finance Companies– Assume more risky loans and charge higher
interest ratesLoans can be made in small amounts Easier to receive a loan and more convenient than
using bank Loans are speedily processed
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Life Insurance Companies– Policy holders build up not only
protection, but also cash value over the years
– Amount = to cash value can be borrowed in form of a loan
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Brokerage Account Loans– Rates competitive with banks
– Amount borrowed a function of the value of securities held
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Personal Loans– Written agreements help reduce
misunderstandings– Agreement should specify:
• Terms of loan• Interest charged• Obligations of both borrower and lender
– Advisable ONLY if funds are not borrowed from traditional sources
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•PawnbrokersPawn brokers accept valuables as collateral– Issue loans for 35 - 40% of valuables– Charge high interest rates (20 - 40%)– Demand quick repayment (usually within
60 - 90 days)– Should be used only as last resort
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Three C’s of Credit : CapacityCreditors examine:Current income vs. currentCurrent debtsNumber of dependentsAlimony and child support paymentFuture income potential
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Three C’s of Credit: Character -- Past credit Timeliness of payments Accuracy of information you provided
on income, employment, etc.. Stability
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Three C’s of Credit: CollateralCollateral -- something of Value
pledged as promise to repay the loanProtects creditors should loan not be
repaid
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Credit Bureaus– Clearinghouse of consumer credit
information– No judgments made by bureau on credit
worthiness of person– Information provided weighed differently by
different lenders
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Steps to Establishing Credit Open checking, savings account Install telephone in your name Obtain gas credit card Apply for bank credit card even if
offered only low limit Have parents co-sign loan Begin repaying student loan
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Denial of CreditSome reasons lenders may deny credit are:
• Not enough income vs. expenses
• Negative factors such as late payments in credit history• Several job changes
• Incomplete credit background
– If denied, lender must give written explanation
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Finance Charges– Finance charge -- difference between
amount repaid and original amount borrowed
– Annual percentage rate (APR) -- interest rate paid per dollar per year for credit
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Which Credit Card is Best for You?The answer depends on your credit card use.
Weigh the following attributes accordingly:
– If you pay off the balance each month• No annual fee• A grace period
– If you carry a balance each month• A low annual percentage rate
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Consequences of Credit Abuse:– Repossession of Property
• Failure to make a loan payment means the borrower defaults on a loan
• If borrower defaults, creditor can seize property and sell it to recover funds
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Consequences of Credit Abuse: – Wage Garnishment
• One of the strongest actions creditors can take
• Court order requiring portion of borrower’s wages paid directly to the lender
– Amount deducted by employer from paycheck– Deductions continue until debt repaid
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Bankruptcy
A legal process where • A person or business that cannot meet
financial obligations is relieved of debt
• Courts divide assets and income among creditors
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•Repercussions of Bankruptcy– Borrowers not relieved of
• Back taxes • Alimony• Child support payments
– Bankruptcy judgment on person’s credit record for next 10 years
– Credit will be difficult to obtain for that time period
Chapter 5 Credit Management
•First Bankruptcy Alternative –
Chapter 7 Filing
– Liquidation plan where assets are seized by court and sold
– Funds then prorated among creditors
– Usually creditors receive only small portion of funds owed them