Pre-Approved Credit Cards
I visited a bank this morning enquiring about a housing loan which I am contemplating signing for. Naturally, I was more concerned about the housing loan package which the said bank could offer me such as the tenure of the loan, margin of finance, monthly installment payable and interest rates applicable, I was intrigued when the said housing loan comes with a pre-approved gold credit card. It seems to be a norm nowadays that banks will offer a pre-approved credit card when your housing loan is approved.
The pre-approved credit card offered comes with a host of perks and was touted to be exclusive for the card holder. Here are some of the perks which came together with the pre-approved credit card:-
Discounts at Selected Merchants
Using the credit card at selected merchants (partners or affiliates of the bank) will entitle you to discounts from 5% up to 50% for retail purchases. This includes dining at restaurants, car rentals, hotel stays and entrance fees at theme parks.
Rewards Redemption
This is probably the most common of the perks in the market. Get 1 point for every dollar spent and accumulate the points to redeem gifts from their glossy catalogue or set off against annual fees. Having evaluated the gifts redeemable, I personally think that this particular bank’s rewards redemption is not better than the current credit card which I am holding with another bank. To avoid embarassment, their names will not be disclosed here.
Gender Focus
Well, I am not a woman. But the pre-approved cards include credit card for woman which would be better for women because the privileges and discounts are geared towards purchases by women. Those who frequent spas, salons, clothes and jewelry shops would benefit from getting one of these cards.
Zero Percent Interest Installment Plan
Now, this is where I get excited. The pre-approved credit card comes with a 0% interest scheme whereby I can purchase selected products and pay for the item through installments with absolutely zero interest payable. Items high on my list would be kitchen cabinets and wardrobes and perhaps, some electrical items. It sure would be handy to have this facility especially when one will be moving into a new house.
Automatic Insurance Protection
This is another welcomed privilege as retail purchases would be covered under an exclusive insurance scheme against defects. The insurance scheme is wholly undertaken and paid for by the bank and thus offers peace of mind to the card holder when purchases are made.
What is Credit Crunch?
Credit Crunch happens when there is a sudden decrease in the available loans or credit or in other words, a sudden hike in the rate of interests of loans from private or government banks or the central bank. Generally, in this case, the banks increase the interest on loan hence making it difficult for the people to repay the loan hence making borrowing more difficult. This could happen due to the fall in expected collateral which is in use by banks for issuing loans. Another reason could be the increased perception of taking risk about the solvency of subsidiary banks under them. This may also happen due to monetary reasons such as unexpected increase in loan rates or central reserve requirements. Also, direct control of the central authority over the credit policies and limits may lead the bank not to lend loan to any entity leading to a credit crunch.
Inappropriate or careless lending by banks over a sustained period may lead to losses for banks and other individuals in debt hence leading to credit crunch. When loan is not paid ( when the loan turns bad ), the banks or other lending institutions tend to reduce the availability of loans and increase the rates of accessing credit. There are some cases when debtors are not able to extend their loans as result of earlier losses.
Another major reason for credit crunch is the fall in market prices of the previously over-inflated assets and the financial crises that has happened due to the steep fall in price. When an organization is unable to gather finance to expand or carry out its cash flow transactions, a liquidity crisis is put in motion. In such case, it’s better for the business to access additional credit sources to make sure the business is out of the problem maintaining its viability and solvency. It’s very difficult in such crises to guess that whether the business is going through a permanent mishap or a temporary financial liquidity crises.
If the money involved in the business affected by credit crunch is not enough to get through the post phase of credit crisis, it is always better to go into liquidation, that is to dissolve the business. It is always preferred to check out other lines of credit before going to liquidation as still the opportunities of advancement exist after the crisis is over.
It is said that credit crunch for a prolonged period is opposite of cheap, easy and plentiful lending practices which is referred to as loose credit or easy money. But after such loose lending, the banks generally suffer from credit crunch. To avoid this, the banks should curb the practices of loose lending of funds to entities. In most of the countries, the whole country suffers due to such crisis and the government has to step in and pour some liquidity into the markets to save them from crashing.