Credit & Loans

Credit is the trust on which a bank or lender depends in order to grant a loan or provide other resources and accept a deferred payment. This term is commonly used when referring to a loan, however, it also applies to consumer credit, which may allow a customer to purchase goods or services and not provide immediate payment.

When a creditor is choosing whether to approve a loan, he or she may consider the applicant’s credit score.

A credit score is a number which is based on credit report information. This credit score speaks to the creditworthiness of an applicant. An applicant’s credit score may decide if the loan is approved. Also, it may help determine the interest rate and the amount or credit limit of the loan.

A loan is typically an amount of money which is borrowed with a contractual agreement to repay the money at a later date. Most often, loans are paid back in installments over a course of time. Loans often have interest, which is based on the principal, or amount of money borrowed. This interest is most often a percentage which is known as an interest rate.

The two most common types of loans are secured and unsecured loans. A secured loan involves collateral. Collateral is an asset which may be seized by the lender if the borrower does not meet the terms of the agreement and repay the loan. An example of a secured loan is a mortgage. An unsecured loan does not involve collateral or is not secured against the borrower’s assets. A few examples of an unsecured loan are credit cards or bank overdrafts.