Applying for Credit Chapter 26.1

OBJECTIVES Explain how you can develop a credit history Examine factors to consider when deciding which credit card to secure Define three factors that creditors consider when granting credit

THE MAIN IDEA Developing a credit history is important The first step will be choosing a credit card and applying for it Before deciding to issue credit to a customer, a creditor looks at the applicant’s Capacity Character Capital

DEVELOPING A CREDIT HISTORY Using credit responsibly can make life easier Using credit in an irresponsible way will harm the ability of a consumer to make future purchases

DEVELOPING A CREDIT HISTORY Apply for Credit Approved for Credit Use Credit Make Payments

SELECTING A CREDIT CARD There are five main factors to consider when selecting a credit card: Interest rate Extra fees Whether the interest rate will change Whether a cosigner is needed Whether there is a grace period

SELECTING A CREDIT CARD Questions you should ask before selecting a credit card include: What will the cost of credit be? Who will accept the card? What is the credit limit? Will I be able to use the card to get cash?

COST OF CREDIT For all their conveniences, credit cards come with costs such as interest rates and various fees To gauge the cost of credit, first look at the annual percentage rate (APR) Annual Percentage Rate (APR) the cost of credit on a yearly basis

COST OF CREDIT A credit card might offer a low introductory APR but change to a much higher rate after a few months Credit card companies will usually charge a fee for a cash advance Cash Advance a loan given in cash by a credit card company in anticipation of the borrower’s being able to repay it

COST OF CREDIT Credit card companies will usually charge a fee for late or missed payments Another fee is charged if the card holder is over their credit limit

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Cosigner someone who agrees to be responsible for a debt if the main applicant does not repay it You may need a cosigner when you apply for credit. You should consider whether there is a grace period for payments on your credit card. Grace Period an amount of time allowed to repay a debt without having to pay interest charges

APPLYING FOR CREDIT A credit card application asks for information about your address, your job, what other credit you have, and details about your income and savings

CREDITWORTHINESS Before creditors give a consumer a charge or credit account, they want to make sure the consumer is worth the risk

THE THREE Cs of CREDITWORTHINESS Capacity: An applicant’s ability to pay. The Three Cs of Creditworthiness C Character: An applicant should be trustworthy. Capital: The money an applicant has beyond debts. C

CREDIT LIMITS Creditors also consider capacity, character, and capital when determining a card holder’s credit limit If a person pays his or her bills on time, most creditors will raise the person’s credit limit Credit Limit the maximum amount a card holder can charge on a credit card

MAKING THE MINIMUM PAYMENT Consumers who pay more than the minimum amount each month will pay less interest and pay off their debt more quickly The credit card agreement is a contract If a consumer does not make at least the minimum payment, the consumer is not meeting his or her legal obligation

REVIEW QUESTIONS How can a consumer develop a credit history? Apply for credit, be approved, use the credit, and make payments to the creditor

REVIEW QUESTIONS 2. What is an annual percentage rate? Why is it important? The cost of credit on a yearly basis; it determines the amount of interest that a consumer will pay on a debt

REVIEW QUESTIONS 3. What are the three Cs of credit? Capacity, Character, and Capital