Credit articles
What factors colour your credit application?
When you apply for a loan, your prospective creditor will assess whether you can afford the monthly repayments. But what do creditors actually consider on your credit report, and what most interests them?
Taking out a personal loan for a home deposit – is it wise?
When purchasing a home, you’ll often be advised to make a down payment to reduce interest and the amount you’ll pay back for the loan. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford this deposit right away and some resort to taking out a p...
Should you strive for an excellent credit score?
We often hear from financial experts that we should improve our credit score because it puts us in good stead with the credit providers – and it really does. When you have a good credit score, you’ll be in a favourable position to ...
Can you cancel your credit life cover?
When you take out a credit agreement, it often includes credit life cover to settle your outstanding debt in dire circumstance. Cover conditions include, for example, retrenchment or the onset of disability. But this cover does come at a cost, s...
Prime and repo rates: How do they affect you?
When we talk about borrowing money, terms like the repo rate and the prime lending rate tend to come up. But what are they and how do they affect you?
7 Ways to repair your credit score if you are subject to reckless lending
If your creditor does not follow the proper protocols when offering you credit, they may be guilty of reckless lending. As a result, your credit record may suffer a blow. If this happens to you, how can you address it?
How long does it take to change your credit life cover provider?
You have the right to choose your own credit life cover provider. But how long will it take to do this, and is it worth the effort?
6 Ways you can secure lower interest rates
It’s tempting to be anxious when thinking about credit cards or loan repayments. However, having and living with credit is not a bad thing, if you manage it responsibly and approach it proactively. One way to do this is to secure low inte...
5 Ways to borrow - choose carefully
There are many ways to obtain credit. It’s up to you to choose which form is suitable for your needs. But before you make that choice, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each.
Your retirement savings could be the key to owning a home
Many people would love to become home owners but don’t know or have the means to do so. However, there are many ways, and one of them includes using your pension or retirement savings to secure a home loan.
Can you sell vehicle you bought on credit before you’ve paid it off?
If you’re no longer able to meet your monthly instalments on your vehicle finance, or you decide you’d like to buy a different car, will you be allowed to sell it and settle the debt?
What if your credit provider is overcharging you?
Every month you receive a statement from your credit provider explaining how they’ve calculated your next instalment and informing you of your remaining balance. But what if they’re charging you more than they should?