Consumer Credit - Definition, What is Consumer Credit, Advantages of Consumer Credit, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

What is Consumer Credit?

Consumer credit often referred to as consumer debt is the debt taken by an individual to buy goods and services. Consumer credit can be in the form of a credit card or any type of personal loan.

Understanding Consumer Credit

In simple words, consumer credit is the term used to define an unsecured debt that was taken to purchase goods and services. However, debts taken for the purchase of a plot or house are not included under consumer credit.

Consumer credits are generally offered by financial institutions or banks to help customers buy everyday goods and services at any instant. In return, the consumers are charged interest over the time taken to repay the debt.

Classification of Consumer Credit

Consumer credit can be classified into two types—revolving credit and instalment credit.

*Revolving Credit: * It is also referred to as the revolving line of credit. It offers customers an open line of credit, which can be utilised to deplete the maximum limit offered by the lender repeatedly.

Consumers will be required to repay the minimum prescribed payments regularly to keep the line of credit open. However, since the revolving credit is an unsecured debt, it generally attracts a comparatively higher rate of interest.

The remaining debt after making the minimum payments will attract interest with every month the line of credit is available.

Instalment Credit: This type of credit is generally issued in the case of specific purposes. They can be the purchase of furniture, vehicle, or home appliances, among others.

In the case of instalment credit, the payments are made in the form of equated monthly instalments for a predefined period. Unlike the revolving credit, instalment credit attracts a lower rate of interest as it is a secured debt. Here, the goods purchased serves as collateral if the consumer defaults on repayment.

Consumer Credit - Definition, What is Consumer Credit, Advantages of Consumer Credit, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

FAQs

Consumer Credit - Definition, What is Consumer Credit, Advantages of Consumer Credit, and Latest News - ClearTax? ›

Consumer credits are generally offered by financial institutions or banks to help customers buy everyday goods and services at any instant. In return, the consumers are charged interest over the time taken to repay the debt.

What is the advantage of consumer credit? ›

Flexibility: Rather than saving for years to cover the cost of each purchase in full, you can choose payment plans that give access to products and services immediately. Consumers can also avoid putting off expenses that could grow more costly over time, like home repairs.

What is the definition of consumer credit? ›

What is Consumer Credit? A consumer credit system allows consumers to borrow money or incur debt, and to defer repayment of that money over time. Having credit enables consumers to buy goods or assets without having to pay for them in cash at the time of purchase.

What is customer credit? ›

Customer credit is a form of payment that allows small business customers to purchase a product or service before paying for it in full. The process works similarly to the way a credit card does—you procure something and pay it back later.

What is the advantage of credit to customers? ›

Pros (Advantages) of Offering Credit

Certain customers may not be able to pay cash at the time of purchase due to their cash conversion cycle and internal working capital needs. By extending credit to these customers, they may now be able to buy from your company.

What is credit and its advantages? ›

Benefits of Credit

Credit allows you the financial freedom and flexibility to purchase goods and services as and when you require, without worrying about liquid cash. Credit helps you plan purchases like buying a laptop or a camera without borrowing from family or friends.

What are consumer finance advantages and disadvantages? ›

Author: Poonawalla Fincorp Team Category: Financial Insights. Consumer finance is a lending scheme that enables customers to pay for products over time. It makes cash flow predictable. This financing option helps to convert passive browsers into active buyers and promotes customer loyalty.

What is consumer credit with an example? ›

Consumer credit refers to the credit facility provided by financial institutions, usually like loans to its users to purchase goods and services. Examples include credit card payments, consumer durables loans, and student loans. The payment against customer purchases flows from financial institutions.

Why is consumer credit important? ›

Understanding Consumer Credit

Consumer credits are generally offered by financial institutions or banks to help customers buy everyday goods and services at any instant. In return, the consumers are charged interest over the time taken to repay the debt.

What are the two main types of consumer credit? ›

Consumer credit falls into two broad categories:
  • Closed-end (installments)
  • Open-end (revolving)

Why is customer credit important? ›

Customer credit checks serve as a valuable tool for businesses to assess creditworthiness, mitigate payment risks, and ensure healthy cash flow. By implementing best practices and leveraging technology, businesses can make informed decisions and safeguard their financial well-being.

What are the disadvantages of customer credit? ›

Despite its many benefits, there are some disadvantages of offering credit.
  • It Puts Your Cash Flow at Risk. ...
  • It Increases the Occurrence of Delinquent Accounts. ...
  • It Can Lead To Costly Collection Fees. ...
  • It Increases Pressure on the Accounts Receivable Department. ...
  • It Can Cause Your Company To Have Bad Debt.
Mar 1, 2023

What are the 4 C's of consumer credit? ›

Standards may differ from lender to lender, but there are four core components — the four C's — that lenders will evaluate in determining whether they will make a loan: capacity, capital, collateral and credit.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of consumer credit? ›

Consumer credit can be a valuable financial tool to help you make purchases to pay off over time so you can maintain cash flow. If you don't use consumer credit responsibly, your credit score could suffer. Understanding how each type of consumer credit works is key to helping you establish good credit history.

Which of the following is an advantage of consumer credit? ›

Answer. An advantage of consumer credit is that it can allow you to save money if you time your purchases correctly. Option (a) is correct. An advantage of consumer credit is that it can allow you to save money if you time your purchases correctly.

Are there advantages to using credit? ›

Using a credit card responsibly can help you build credit and improve your credit score. By making on-time payments, you can build a consistent payment history, which will gradually boost your credit score. The benefits of good credit include lower interest rates, a wider variety of financing options and more.

How could consumer credit be a good thing? ›

You can enjoy using something you need as you pay for it. Get something you can't afford now. If you can't af- ford to pay cash for a car or other large purchase, using credit allows you to get it now. May get better service on something bought on credit.

Why is consumer credit good for the economy? ›

When consumers and businesses can borrow money, economic transactions can take place efficiently and the economy can grow. Credit allows companies access to tools they need to produce the items we buy.

How is credit helpful for a consumer? ›

It's cheaper to borrow money

If you ever want to get an auto loan, remodel your house or open a business, having a good credit score will qualify you for lower interest on nearly every kind of personal loan you might need.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 6511

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.