How to negotiate with creditors

Before approaching a creditor, there are three steps to follow to ensure successful negotiation. Read it here.

• Longing for a clean slate
• Know your rights, urges debt body

Credit growth slows to 7.79%

Growth in credit demand by South Africa's private sector has slowed to 7.79% year-on-year in March from 7.88% in February, Reserve Bank data shows.

• Rand retreats on credit data
• Political risks to watch in SA
• Unemployment triggers debt crisis

Beware the debt trap as price hikes bite

With rocketing food, fuel and electricity prices, more and more analysts are warning South Africans to make sure they can live within their means.

• Petrol hike will hit indebted hard
• Use less electricity, urges Eskom
• Price hikes 'threaten' food security

Consumers owe R1.39 trillion

New credit granted to consumers has increased by 4.92%, according to the quarterly report of the National Credit Regulator.

• Ombud: Don't scrap credit codes
• Banks to review clients' indebtedness
• Consumers owe more than R1 trillion

Consumers owe more than R1 trillion

The total outstanding amount owed by consumers stands at R1.36 trillion, says the National Credit Regulator.

• Adra: Not all debt collectors are crooks
• Credit Act cracks down on reckless buying
• R3bn stolen from employees – expert

Credit providers nailed in KZN

Seventeen credit providers have been arrested for allegedly using illegal collection methods against consumers in the Nqutu district.

• R3bn stolen from employees – expert
• Credit Act cracks down on reckless buying
• Consumers clueless about credit scores

10 Debt and Credit Lies

Financial expert Iona Minton debunks 10 credit and debt myths.

US housing dream fades

Americans are squeezed by higher rents and tight credit.

• Credit health declines
• Rising municipal accounts to hit pockets
• ConCourt ruling favours debt defaulters
• SA households owe billions
• SA's indebted get fewer civil judgments
• Consumer inflation slows again

Why you need to know your credit score

Are you striving towards financial freedom? Start by looking at your current credit record and work from there. Here's how.

• Keep your credit record healthy
• Second student loan: Good idea?
• Investments: Risk vs. Return

Sarb: Unsecured credit boom not a bubble

Growth in unsecured credit has not led to a bubble and banks are managing their exposure, says the Reserve Bank in a review of the financial system.

• SACP: SA banks headed for crisis
• Sarb: Rise in unsecured lending a worry

The Capitec effect

Having flooded middle and upper income earners with credit ahead of the implementation of the National Credit Act (NCA) in June 2007, new data shows South African lenders have significantly grown their high margin unsecured lending books over the past year.

• The real deal?
• Battle for the bottom
• Three must haves

Growth picks up

Credit growth picked up in April, largely due to an increase in corporate credit demand. The SA Reserve Bank watches credit and money supply figures as an early warning signal of excessive demand in the economy, which could signal future inflation.

• Moody's warns on UK rating
• Demand for credit rises
• China agency downgrades UK

Ombud says most credit disputes resolved

The credit ombudsman says his office ruled in favour of consumers in the majority of complaints made against credit providers.

• Home owner 'wins' in top court ruling
• Banks may face claims from indebted clients
• Banks threaten debt clampdown

Consumer appetite for credit increases

The value of credit taken up by consumers in the last quarter of 2010 increased 11%, says the National Credit Regulator.

• Consumers still mired in debt
• Stable outlook for SA banks
• Demand for credit picks up

10 debt and credit myths

Financial expert Iona Minton debunks 10 credit and debt myths.

Credit demand rises

Credit demand by the private sector has risen by 2.98% year-on-year, according to Reserve Bank data.

• Need for credit remains low
• Credit up but spending still tight
• Surprise pick-up in credit demand

Are you a shopaholic?

If an addiction like shopping gets a real grip on you, it can ruin your life, just like alcohol or gambling.

• Your money IQ
• Finance is no fairytale
• 10 debt and credit myths