GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

The yearly cost of borrowing money, shown as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Asset

Property owned by an individual which holds value and is available to meet debts.

Bankruptcy

Legal proceedings where a person's assets are dissolved by the court to pay for their debts.

Charge-off

Describes an account that has been past due for at least 180 days with the creditor not having received payment.

Collateral

Assets that a borrower pledges to secure repayment of a loan.

Consolidation

Combining several monthly payments into one single monthly payment.

Credit Counseling

Process by which a certified credit counselor assesses your financial situation and creates an action plan to get your finances back on track.

Credit Report

A detailed report of your entire credit history involving mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards, among other items.

Credit Score

A numerical score ranging from 300-850 which conveys to lenders your creditworthiness.

Debt Consolidation Loan

A loan which is used to combine several smaller loans in order to have one single monthly payment.

Debt Settlement

Process of negotiating with creditors to settle a debt for less than the original amount owed.

Delinquency

An account status when a borrower misses their scheduled payments.

Equifax

One of the three major credit bureaus.

Experian

One of the three major credit bureaus.

FICO Score

Credit scoring model created by the Fair Isaac Corporation, which ranges from 300-850.

Fixed Rate

An interest rate that cannot fluctuate for the borrower.

Forbearance

Temporary postponement granted by the lender (typically relating to student loans) when the borrower cannot make payments.

Foreclosure

When a lender legally seizes a property due to the borrower being unable to make payments.

Garnishment

The act of an employer withholding an employee's compensation to pay off a creditor.

Hard Inquiry

A type of credit check done by lenders when applying for credit which can lower the borrower's score.

Installment Loan

A debt in which the borrower pays a set amount, usually once a month, until the debt is paid off.

Interest Rate

The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage.

Judgment

A legal decision from a judge on a civil action or lawsuit, usually to satisfy a debt or penalty.

Lease

A legal contact binding two parties for the rental of property or goods.

Lender

A legal contact binding two parties for the rental of property or goods.Firm or institution that makes money available for borrowing.

Liability

An obligation to pay money back to a lender.

Lien

The right of a creditor to secure a debt against the property of a borrower.

Liquidation

Converting assets into cash.

Loan Forgiveness

The writing off of debts by a lender (typically student loans).

Mortgage

Loan used to purchase a commercial or residential property.

Personal Loan

A loan for personal use which has no collateral.

Power of Attorney

Legal document allowing a person to make financial decisions on behalf of someone else.

Prime Rate

Describes a low interest rate, usually offered to the most creditworthy borrowers.

Principal

The amount of money financed or borrowed, excluding interest.

Refinancing

Replacing an old loan with a new loan at a different (typically lower) interest rate.

Repossession

The process by which a creditor legally seizes one's property as a response to a borrower not paying on their debt.

Secured Debt

A loan backed by a borrower's asset (home, car, etc.).

Term

Represents the period of time over which a loan will be repaid.

Transunion

One of the three major credit bureaus.

Unsecured Loan

A loan that is not backed by collateral.

Variable Rate

An interest rate that can fluctuate with the market.

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