Customer Credit

Credit is an arrangement by which a buyer can take possession of something now and pay for it later or over time.

Reasons for giving Credit

1. To gain competitive edge.
2. To earn additional money.
3. To sell a very expensive items.
4. When the product sales is on decline.

Matters discussed in agreement

• Details about the buyer and seller.
• Details of the asset to be bought/sold.
• Amount of finance.
• Repayment period.
• Monthly installment.
• Interest rate charged.
• Collateral security involved.
• Rights and responsibilities of both parties.

Short Term Credit

• The amount of credit is low.
• Credit is to be paid within one year.

Informal Credit

• Credit is given without any written agreement.
• Does not involve collateral security.
• Small amounts are involved.
• Repayment is to be made within one year.
• Normally offered by the retailer to their trustworthy customer.

Credit Cards

A plastic card with a magnetic tape or with a micro chip on it issued by commercial banks to their credit worthy customers on request. These can be used for making payment at selected retailers or for drawing cash from selected ATMs upto a certain limit. Features: Plastic Card. Magnetic tape. Name of card holder. Card number. Validity date.

• Advantages:
  • Advantages to Card Holder:
    1. Increases purchasing power.
    2. Minimum cash handling.
    3. Obtain cash at ATM.
    4. Can be canceled when stolen.
    5. Postponement of payment.
  • Advantages to Bank:
    1. Interest from card holder.
    2. Commission from retailer.
  • Advantages to Retailers:
    1. More sales.
    2. Competitive edge.
    3. Minimum cash handling.
• Disadvantages:
  • Disadvantages to Card Holders:
    1. Limited acceptability.
    2. Interest is charged.
    3. Irrational buying.
    4. Every one can not have this facility.
    5. Can be misused.
  • Disadvantage to Bank:
  1. Recovery of money from defaulters.
  • Disadvantages to Retailer:
    1. Commission and rental to be paid to the bank.
    2. Problem of limited cash.

Over Draft

• A short term facility offered by the bank to the its customers where the borrower
  can over draft (withdraw money more than their balance) their accounts maintained with the banks.
• Available only for current accounts.
• Used by businesses to manage cash flow problems.

Long Term Credit

• Amount of Credit is large.
• Repayment goes beyond one year.
• Repayment is made in installments.
• A written agreement is singed.
• Collateral security are involved.

Leasing

• A rental agreement which involves a series of fixed payment (annuity) which is extended to several period.
• Lessor: One who owns the asset and lets other (lessee) use it.
• Lessee: One who gets procession of the asset for its use.

Hire Purchase

• A leasing agreement in which the lessor lets the lessee use an asset for a certain time period (less that the life of the asset) upon a certain installment (rental) with an option to purchase the asset by paying the amount or return the good to lessor,
  after the lease period.
• Suitable for asset with good resale value.
• The lessor will own the asset till the last installment has been paid and the total value of the asset is recovered.

Sale and Lease back

• Lessee originally owns the asset.
• The asset is sold to the lessor on the bases of market price and lessee gets the full amount in lump sum.
• Title will be in the name of lessor.
• Possession will remain with lessee.
• Lessee is liable to pay installments to the lessor as per agreement.
• Lessee can not sell the asset till the installment are paid and asset comes under his ownership.
• If lessee faults in making payments lessor has the right the repossess the asset.

Extended Credit/Deferred payment

• It is suitable for items with low resale value.
• In this case customer will become owner after signing the agreement and making payment of front and fee.
• Customer can sell the asset any time.
• Loans are secured by a collateral security.
• If customer defaults making payment the financer has the right to sue him.

Comparison between Bank Loan and Leasing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Customer Credit

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