Consumer credit is when credit is advanced to a consumer for the purchase of personal or household goods or services. The system for extension of credit allows consumers to borrow money, or incur debt, and to defer repayment of that money over time.
Obtaining Credit
Having credit enables consumers to buy goods or assets without having to pay for them in cash at the time of purchase. For example, if a consumer wants to purchase expensive items such as a home, car, or an education, it’s unusual for that person to have cash available to make the purchase. Obtaining credit permits the consumer to make the purchase and pay for it with scheduled monthly payments over a specific period of time.
Finance Options
Consumers may explore options to finance the purchase by contacting banks, credit unions and financial institutions. The terms for borrowing money may vary from one lender to another. After submission of a credit application, lenders take steps to evaluate the borrower’s creditworthiness. Typically, a credit application triggers a hard inquiry on the borrower’s credit reports.
Credit Application Submission
Consumers must provide written permission for their credit report to be accessed. The reports aid in assessing payment history and the borrower’s ability to repay debt to a lender and not default. Credit scores are a 3-digit number that reflect a consumer’s ability to repay a loan and help to determine terms, such as interest rates and length of the loan.
Most important, in advance of seeking new credit, consumers should obtain a current copy of their credit report from each of the three main bureaus – Transunion, Experian and Equifax, and review the reports for accuracy. If there is information that is incorrect or needs to be updated, a dispute should be filed with the credit bureau. The bureaus have 30 days to respond to the dispute. Once information is corrected, the consumer may see an increase in his or her credit score.
Five Factors Considered in the Loan Application Process
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- Character:
Does the borrower have a good credit payment history? Have payments been managed well in the past? - Capacity:
What is the borrower’s ability to repay the loan? How much debt does the borrower have in relation to his or her income? - Capital:
Does the borrower have assets or savings to put towards the loan? Will the borrower make a down payment? - Collateral:
Does the borrower have assets that can be provided as security for the loan? - Conditions:
Lenders may consider how the borrower plans to use the loaned money. Also, they may evaluate economic conditions that dictate whether the loan may be high risk and one that they want to take.
- Character:
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Credit Denial
Borrowers must be prepared for the lender to approve or deny the application. If the consumer is denied a loan, the lender must send a letter to the consumer explaining the specific reason, or let the consumer know about their right to request information that led to the decision for denial within 60 days. Also, if the denial is related to information that appears on the credit report, the lender must provide the credit bureau name, address and phone number for the consumer to inquire about the denial.
Are credit references necessary?
A credit reference is one of the methods lenders and service providers use to determine a borrower’s creditworthiness. Credit references can include your bank, previous landlords, employers, or companies whose bills you’ve paid regularly. Depending on the type of application, it is best to submit the best reference for the situation. Typically, this person or company would improve the borrower’s chances for approval for the type of loan that is sought.
Seek advice from Experienced Consumer Lawyers
If you’ve been denied credit due to errors on your credit report, contact Flitter Milz for a no cost case evaluation. Errors on credit reports can lower your credit score, which can hurt your ability to get new lines of credit or receive favorable terms on a new loan. Contact Us today.
