Credit & Debit
Credit
Credit refers to the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment is made. It is a form of borrowing, and the customer is expected to repay the amount borrowed at a later date, usually with interest. Credit can be obtained from a variety of sources, including banks, credit unions, and retailers.
There are many different types of credit, including:
- Revolving credit: This type of credit allows the customer to borrow up to a certain limit and repay the balance over time. Examples of revolving credit include credit cards and lines of credit.
- Installment loans: These loans are repaid in fixed monthly payments over a set period of time. Examples of installment loans include auto loans and mortgages.
- Personal loans: These loans are used for a variety of purposes, such as debt consolidation, home improvements, and medical expenses. Personal loans are typically repaid in monthly installments.
Debit
Debit refers to the act of withdrawing money from a bank account. It can be done in a variety of ways, including:
- Using a debit card: A debit card is a plastic card that allows the customer to make purchases by deducting the amount of the purchase from their bank account.
- Writing a cheque: A cheque is a written order to a bank to pay a certain amount of money to a specific person or company.
- Using an ATM: An ATM (automated teller machine) is a machine that allows customers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.
Credit vs. Debit
The main difference between credit and debit is that credit involves borrowing money, while debit involves withdrawing money from a bank account. Credit can be used to make purchases even if the customer does not have the money available in their bank account, while debit can only be used to make purchases if the customer has the money available in their bank account.
Credit and debit also have different implications for the customer’s credit score. Using credit responsibly can help to improve a customer’s credit score, while using debit does not have any impact on the credit score.
Conclusion
Credit and debit are both important financial tools that can be used to manage money. It is important to understand the difference between credit and debit in order to use them effectively.