Credit Card

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Credit Card'

A card issued by a financial company giving the holder an option to borrow funds, usually at point of sale. Credit cards charge interest and are primarily used for short-term financing. Interest usually begins one month after a purchase is made and borrowing limits are pre-set according to the individual's credit rating.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Credit Card'

Credit cards have higher interest rates (around 19% per year) than most consumer loans or lines of credit. Almost every store allows for payment of goods and services through credit cards. Because of their wide spread acceptance, credit cards are one of the most popular forms of payment for consumer goods and services in the U.S.

Related Definitions

  • Credit History

    A record of a consumer's ability to repay debts and demonstrated responsibility in repaying debts. A consumer's credit history consists of information such as: number and types of credit ...
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  • Annual Percentage Rate - APR

    The annual rate that is charged for borrowing (or made by investing), expressed as a single percentage number that represents the actual yearly cost of funds over the term of a loan. ...
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  • Average Daily Balance Method

    A finance/accounting method where costs (and interest) are based on the amount(s) owing at the end of each day.
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    • Country Club Billing

      A now-defunct billing system used by credit card companies up until the 1970s. Country club billing includes copies of the original sales drafts with each monthly statement sent to ...
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    • Credit Agency

      A for-profit company that collects information about individuals' and businesses' debts, and assigns a numerical value called a credit score that indicates the borrower's ...
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    • Line Of Credit - LOC

      An arrangement between a financial institution, usually a bank, and a customer that establishes a maximum loan balance that the bank will permit the borrower to maintain. The borrower ...
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    • Debit Card

      An electronic card issued by a bank which allows bank clients access to their account to withdraw cash or pay for goods and services. This removes the need for bank clients to go to the ...
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    • Charge Card

      A card that charges no interest but requires the user to pay his/her balance in full upon receipt of the statement, usually on a monthly basis. While it is similar to a credit card, the ...
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    • Prepaid Credit Card

      A card issued by a financial institution that is preloaded with funds and is used like a normal credit card. A prepaid credit card works in the opposite way of a normal credit card, ...
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    • Credit Limit

      The amount of credit that a financial institution extends to a client. Credit limit also refers to the maximum amount a credit card company will allow someone to borrow on a single card. ...
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