Reading Essential and Note-Taking Guide 4.2

Chapter 4, Section 2
(Pages 92–98)
Sources of Loans and Credit
As you read pages 92–98 in your textbook, complete this graphic organizer by filling in different types of lending institutions.
1.
3.
Lending Institutions
2.
5.
Types of Financial Institutions
34
(page 93)
Before choosing a lender, a consumer shopping for a loan
should compare the requirements, interest, and payment schedules of different institutions. Commercial banks offer loans
along with a variety of services, such as checking and savings
accounts. They control the largest amount of funds. They also
transfer, or move, funds among businesses and individuals.
Savings and loan associations (S&Ls) and savings banks
are similar to commercial banks. S&Ls and savings banks offer
mortgage loans and auto loans at a slightly lower interest rate
than commercial banks. The other services offered by S&Ls and
savings banks vary between institutions.
Union members or company employees can take out loans
from a credit union to which they belong. Because members
own and run the credit union, they can offer a low interest rate.
For some installment debts, consumers can take out loans
from finance companies. Finance companies manage installment debts for retail stores and may lend money to people who
are turned down by other lending agencies. However, they
charge higher interest rates than other financial institutions.
Chapter 4, Section 2
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
If a consumer
who has repaid
previous loans very
late wanted a loan
to purchase a car,
which financial
institution would
likely lend him the
money?
4.
Charge Accounts and Credit Cards
As you read, compare
charge accounts.
1. Regular Charge
Account
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
2. Revolving Charge
Account
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
3. Installment
Charge Account
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
(page 95)
Lenders offer another form of credit that consumers receive
before they make a purchase. Credit cards and charge accounts
give funds directly to people or businesses without the people
or the businesses borrowing the funds first.
Consumers can purchase goods or services from a specific
company, such as a store, through a charge account. Charge
accounts allow consumers to buy goods first and pay for them
later. A regular charge account requires consumers to pay for
all their purchases at the end of each 30-day, or monthly,
period. A revolving charge account allows consumers to pay
only some of the bill after 30 days, but the lender calculates the
interest and adds it to the unpaid amount. In the meantime,
consumers can continue to charge new items to their account
within a set limit. People can purchase expensive items, such as
kitchen cabinets or a home theater system, with an installment
charge account. As with installment debt, people make equal
payments over a set period of time.
Credit cards are similar to charge accounts, but they can be
used at many different types of stores and even at restaurants.
Consumers can use the cards, such as Visa or Mastercard, to pay
for purchases or to borrow funds up to a limit set by the creditcard company. Credit cards give consumers access to borrowed
funds without having to apply for a loan. Debit cards are not the
same as credit cards. Debit cards allow consumers to use money
directly from their bank accounts, rather than loaned funds.
Finance Charges and Annual Percentage Rates
Before you read,
write two questions
you hope will be
answered by the
passage.
1.
2.
Chapter 4, Section 2
(page 97)
Both the finance charge and the annual percentage rate are
the cost of the service of borrowing funds. However, lenders
express each one in different ways.
The finance charge is the cost of credit expressed in dollars and cents. Charge accounts may use the previous balance,
the average daily balance, the adjusted balance, or the past-due
balance to determine how much to charge for the cost of credit.
This means finance charges vary a lot from one lending institution to another, depending on how the lender arrives at the
amount to charge.
The annual percentage rate (APR) is a percentage, such
as 15 percent. It is the yearly cost of borrowing, regardless of
the amount of funds. Since it is a percentage, consumers can
easily comparison shop for a credit card by seeking the lowest
APR offered.
35
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire
section.
1. Describe three reasons why consumers might prefer a credit card to a charge account.
2. Why should consumers compare finance charges and interest rates offered by different
financial institutions?
Exposi tory
Compare and contrast factors that consumers should consider when
choosing credit lenders for buying clothes versus choosing credit
lenders for buying a house. Consider types of credit as well as types
of financial institutions.
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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Chapter 4, Section 2