apply credit card Archives - Smartchoice.pk https://smartchoice.pk/blog/tag/apply-credit-card/ Personal finance, insurance & life style tips to help you make smart decisions Wed, 14 Nov 2018 08:43:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fav_64.png apply credit card Archives - Smartchoice.pk https://smartchoice.pk/blog/tag/apply-credit-card/ 32 32 5 Essentials for your Financial Emergency Kit https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/11/5-essentials-for-your-financial-emergency-kit/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/11/5-essentials-for-your-financial-emergency-kit/#respond Wed, 14 Nov 2018 08:43:32 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3740 It has happened too many times. That we save up some money and start to feel good about our finances. […]

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It has happened too many times.

That we save up some money and start to feel good about our finances.

Then, a financial emergency comes along and wipes it all away,

We are back to square one.

Leaves us all frustrated!

But how can we jump off this perpetual roller coaster without getting hurt?

We need to decide what is a Financial Emergency Kit, before getting to that there is another question that needs to be answered first and that is what can actually be the financial emergencies that we may find ourselves in need the financial emergency Kit:

Unexpected Job Loss:

unexpected job loss

Even if you’re amazing at your job, you may be laid off or otherwise unable to work. You’ll need to be prepared for that kind of income shortfall as well. You will also want to start reducing your expenses and attempting to increase your income in other ways.

Unexpected Medical/Dental Expenses:

Unexpected Medical/Dental Expenses

If you or someone in your family suddenly becomes ill and your health insurance doesn’t cover all of the cost, you may need to pay some of those bills immediately.
Just don’t forget to get a health insurance, so under certain emergencies, you can negotiate these costs with your insurance and at least get some relaxation when the emergency arises and pay less than full price for a certain emergency.

Unexpected Travel:

Unexpected Travel

If you have a family member that suddenly falls ill or pass away, you may have some unexpected travel, which may create a dent in the budget and may create a financial emergency causing strain on your mental peace.

Unexpected Car Expenses:

Unexpected Car Expenses

If your primary vehicle needs immediate repair so you can continue to work, so that is the cost that needs immediate attention.

Natural disasters:

Natural disasters

 

Natural disasters are something that is unforeseen yet there are certain things that we prepare ourselves against by getting Insurance that covers many natural disasters, but you may discover certain specific expenses are not included or that your insurance plan doesn’t reference specific disasters, so it may be one of the things that check your financial emergency checkbox.

Major home repairs:

Major home Repairs

If your roof starts to leak, all of a sudden in a rainy season you’ll need to fix it immediately. Some home issues could render your house unlivable, and others will only increase in severity the longer you allow them to go unaddressed.

This kind of emergency is inevitable and needs to be handled on an urgent basis, so yeah some plan/alternative should be there for this unknown-unknown risk, that may arise at an unexpected time creating a chaos in your financial calendar.

What’s an Emergency Fund Anyway?

An emergency fund is simply defined as an account where you set aside funds/measures/policies to be used for unexpected expenses. It’s a “just in case” account.
You want to have something that mitigates risks, so you don’t need to rely on debt when a financial emergency inevitably arises.

A long-term financial emergency arises (i.e. job loss, the death of your parents, spouse) so that you can weather the storm much longer.

What are the Essentials of your Financial Emergency Kit?
Some of the things that are important to face/overcome your financial catastrophe can be as follows

Estate/Wills documents:

Estate wills/documents

Estate planning is really the highest form of financial emergency planning because it addresses the ultimate personal financial emergencies, medical exhaustion or death.
Make sure your family has an easy access to this material if something happens to you or your loved one your emergency kit includes, estate documents would include copies of current wills (for you and your spouse or partner, children etc.), your advanced directives health/financial powers of attorney (which designate specific individuals to step in to manage your money or healthcare if you cannot do so) as well as other documents that provide additional guidance for operating businesses and managing and distributing other assets you have.
Make sure these documents are always current and that contact information is included for all the qualified experts you took assistance to prepare them estate or business attorneys, tax professionals and financial planners.

Insurance policies:

Insurance policies

Having insurance policies such as (life, car, home) is an important and wise decision one can make regarding your assets, they are your coverage against a natural disaster or any uncertain situation, but it’s important to think a little more broadly. File as much policy and contact detail as you can for any health, disability, business, life and accident coverage you have and remember that it’s particularly important to note or file documentation on this coverage at work, too. Sometimes we sign up rather blindly for work-based benefits only to realize how important they may be in a financial emergency.

Set some cash aside:

Set some cash aside

Plan for at least three months’ worth of expenses, the size of your emergency fund will vary based on your personal risk tolerance, the types of emergencies you’re most likely to encounter, and your personal circumstances (including your income).

However, it is recommended that you set aside at least three months’ worth of expenses and preferably six months or more. You need to know how much you spend in a typical month and plan to cover at least three months to be safe.
Only use the fund for real emergencies. Once you have established such a fund, don’t tap into it for anything else. This isn’t a reserve of handy extra money you can use for a vacation nor is it a surplus for splurging on Ramadan and festivals gift shopping. The fund is only for emergencies and shouldn’t be touched until you’re forced to cover an expense that your regular income can’t absorb.

Have a backup plan:

Have a back up plan

If your emergency fund isn’t enough to cover an unexpected expense/ condition you need to have backup plans do you have in place.

It may seem redundant to have an emergency fund to cover your emergency fund, but you’ll be glad that backup parachute is there if you should need it, Credit cards, it helps in keeping the insulating layer of funds if needed in emergency, make your retirement plans so you don’t have to work when you can have some peaceful time, establish college savings for your children, to meet the needs when time be and obviously, you shouldn’t use them unless you have to.

Be-Proactive:

Be proactive

If you can, try to prevent emergencies before they occur, Invest in solid insurance policies that protect you from the bulk of unplanned expenses you’d otherwise face. Take care of your home with upgrades and as-needed repairs, get regular medical checkups and keep your vehicle in good running condition.

What about the Other Financial Emergencies? What about all of those other expenses that depleted your savings in the past?

There are things like gifts, vacations, insurance premiums, school field trips, sports uniforms, etc., right?
Those types of expenses are not emergencies; they’re not even unexpected, they just occur at irregular intervals. If you sit down and think through these types of expenses, you can plan more appropriately for them.
For example, if you know that you’re going to spend PKR 50, 000 during the holidays, you need to start saving several months in advance. Even some of the expenses you think are unexpected (i.e. school field trips), are actually not, you know they’re going to occur, but maybe just not when. Just set some money aside for these types of expenses on a monthly basis and dip into it when needed.

Plan Ahead for these Irregular Expenses


One of the best ways to plan ahead for irregular expenses is to create an annual budget,by viewing the next 12 months of income and expenses, you can see if an irregular expense will fit into the month it normally occurs. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to start setting aside money for the expense several months in advance.

For example, if your child’s college fee is PKR 60, 000 and it’s due every six months, you might want to save PKR 20, 000 per month for the three months before the fee is due.
If you can’t budget PKR 20, 000 per month, you need to start saving PKR 10, 000 per month for six months before the fee is due.
By planning ahead, you’ll have the money set aside and you can pay the bill without having to dip into your emergency fund or worse, having to take on debt.

Here’s what you to do should do:

things to do

Grab a blank piece of paper and think about all of the irregular expenses you have throughout the year. You may need to look at your statements to help jog your memory.
• Write these expenses down and include the dates you need to pay them and how much they normally cost.
• Create an annual budget and start plugging in these irregular expenses.
• Adjust the expenses in your annual budget until you’re able to not go over budget in any given month.
• Start saving for these expenses in separate savings accounts
• Pull the money when the bill is due and start saving for the next time!

Building a financial emergency kit requires some thinking, but it can help you avoid major losses and speed up decision making in a crisis. Work with people you trust to make it accessible and useful to your family and trusted individuals, as well the expenditures which are irregular sort it out beforehand by setting aside some funds and not mixing or overlapping it your emergency funds as emergency funds are just for emergencies so, If you find yourself facing a major life crisis, you would be prepared to handle the financial fallout.

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A Quick Guide for First Time Credit Card Users in Pakistan https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/09/a-quick-guide-for-first-time-credit-card-users-in-pakistan/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/09/a-quick-guide-for-first-time-credit-card-users-in-pakistan/#respond Thu, 27 Sep 2018 15:50:15 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3650 Speaking about the western world, the credit card facility is now available even to the students of higher education. The […]

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Speaking about the western world, the credit card facility is now available even to the students of higher education. The society is well taught about the concepts and uses or misuses of credit-card. Being a part of the social setting of these countries, the credit card is a much-used facility.

However, in Pakistan, the concept of credit card is still in its early stages. People are accepting the concept and the facilities offered by the product and are thus getting themselves credit cards that suit their budgets and needs. From a job holder to a freelancer in Pakistan, all are now looking forward to having a credit card to help them in their hard financial times. However, the Pakistani community is still with limited knowledge on using a credit card. This is the reason why we have compiled a set of most needed information that is required to be kept handy, if you are a  first time credit card user, you will need to keep these points in your mind to ensure a secure use of the facility offered and not to fall in the black hole of debts.

Being a credit card user, below are the points that you may wish to have known in the first place, to use the credit card in a better way.

Understanding How a Credit Card Works:

First comes the understating about how this financial product works. In simple words, when you buy something with your credit card, you actually pay for it later. It is unlikely a debit card that immediately deducts money from your bank account. While buying with a credit card you actually owe to the bank rather than owing the store. The banks are the one that offers loans to the users for immediate use of the facility to pay them off later.

Thus the credit card will work for you in case you need to change your car tires now, but you are out of cash. With the help of a credit card, you can get things done when you need and pay for them later when you will have money in your pocket/account.

However, it is dangerous if you start buying more than what you can actually pay off.  Because no credit card will offer you the loan for more than one month which means that you will have to pay off the amount that you have lent from bank on monthly basis. If you are unable to do so, you will have to pay an additional amount in terms of interest or fee, apart from the actual amount that you have lent from bank.

Why You Must Have a Credit Card?

If you are good enough to stick to your budget and are able to secure a considerable amount in the name of savings, you may not need a credit card at all.

However, one good reason for having a credit card is that you need to build up a strong credit of financial profile. Although the credit score is not the only contributing factor to your financial profile, it does count much.

If you are looking forward to taking some bigger benefits or help from any financial service providing company in coming future, having a credit card with wisely used services can be of great help. You can use the credit card to make payments and then pay them off responsibly, and things will work magic for you. A good score will have an impact on the chances of getting a loan for your home or apply and get an auto loan successfully.

On the other hand credit card also offers a better level of security as compared to cash or debit card. For instance, if you lose your wallet, you can cancel the credit card easily and can dispute any charges that you didn’t make. But if you lost your cash, it is probably gone forever.

Expert Tips on Using Credit Card:

Here are some of the expert suggested tips to keep in mind while you are opting to use your first credit card wisely.

  • The credit card issuing bank is lending you money for a specific time period and after that, you will have pay additional amount as an interest on the actual amount to be paid.
  • Never tend to have more than one credit card at one time.  
  • Based on how you are intended to use, try to keep the credit card limit as low as possible.
  • When buy anything using your credit card, make sure to pay off the balance within a month. It will keep you safe from paying service charges and will also help you build a good credit record.
  • Prefer to use a credit card only for emergencies focus on using a debit card, cheques and cash for making most of your payments.
  • Never ever give your credit card to anyone else. Because the end, it is you who is responsible to pay off all the charges.
  • Keep a proper track of where you used your credit card and how much amount you paid using it.
  • Even if you are using the card for emergencies, make sure that it is in an active condition. You can do that by making small purchases in every 2 to 3 months. However, make sure you are paying off the balance before the due date
  • Do not let your credit card spending cross 20% of your net income per month. Create a budget and stick to the plan.
  • If you think or find that you are not able to handle your credit card wisely, it is better to get rid of it.

Using a credit card is a skill anyone can have, However, self-control is the key to use from a credit card. If you are able to keep a control on your spendings, you can use the credit card and can earn benefits.

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Is Having a Credit Card in Pakistan Good or Bad? https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/03/credit-card-pakistan-good-bad/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/03/credit-card-pakistan-good-bad/#respond Mon, 05 Mar 2018 09:45:03 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3098 Jobs always come up with a limited return and there are times when a person may need some additional help. […]

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Jobs always come up with a limited return and there are times when a person may need some additional help. This can be in case of emergency or any other financial need or urgency. For this reason, we can see a number of people using the credit card to meet needs out of their budget or monthly income.

Credit cards are not only an additional source of income in hard times but they also help you to build a strong financial profile, in case you may need some financial support for your business startup in future.

By not having a credit card, you can never own an appreciated credit card score on his/her name (the score is generally offered by the credit card authorities). But there are many reasons for suggesting not to use a credit card. Where there is almost an equal amount of people rejecting and appreciating the use of credit card, there is also a considerable amount of people who believe that it’s not the credit card, that is good or bad, it is the use of these facilities and about how we take the chances and utilize them in our daily life.

This article is written with an aim to review the two sides of the mirror and find what makes some people believe in the worse of having a credit card while others just focus on the goods of it.

The Pros of Credit Card:

If used properly, a credit card can bring the cardholders with a number of benefits. Some of these advantages are as follow:

  • They are a great help in case of emergency
  • They can help and appreciated in holding reservations
  • As compare to other tools like debit cards etc. credit cards offer additional protection against any kind of fraud especially while doing online shopping
  • If you choose the card wisely, you can get bonuses, flyer miles, cash rebates and others
  • If used carefully, the credit card can earn you a positive credit history that can, later on, help you in a number of ways

The Cons of Credit Card:

If you are not using your credit card wisely, you will surely face a number of issues and financial imbalance. Some of the most devastating impacts of credit card can be as follow;

  • An irresponsible use of credit card with earn you a negative credit history
  • Negative credit history will earn your negative credit scores that will be a hurdle in a number of issues in future
  • You will face a number of issues while applying for loans, or leasing a car etc.
  • You may go overboard while using a credit card and most of such cases have been found in females as they tend to be an impulsive buyer. This means that they own a credit card and they out for shopping they generally end-up buying stuff that is out of their budget, or not in their need.

Credit cards are not a bad thing, until and unless they are handled by a person with wrong intentions or who is bad in dealing with his finances. If you own a credit card, important is to use it responsibly. If you do this job right, you will open up a door of amazing opportunities to you.

Related Read: Want your First Credit Card? These Requirements from Banks you Need to Know

The most important thing to do while dealing with a credit card is to pay your credit in time. If you fail in doing so you are likely to end up facing difficulties to get your loans approved, lease a car and get a business loan. If you are not paying your credit in time, you may face serious issues like becoming a defaulter of the bank. We won’t suggest you to not to use your credit card to pay your bills, but pay them wisely and do not become over debt.

There are a number of good and bad aspects of using and paying your bills with a credit card. If you are not sure about is the credit card is good or bad, look at the following aspects and decide on your own.

Superlative Aspects:

Immediate fulfillment: let’s say that you are willing to buy a mobile of the latest model which is about PKR 50,000, but you do not have that much cash in your pocket at the moment. Rather than taking months to save that much amount or asking your friends and family for a loan, you can use your credit card, pay the bill take your new mobile and leave. All that you have to do is to pay the bill at the time of few months. This way, the credit card becomes the most efficient and cost-effective way to pay your bills in tough times or when you lack money.

Convenience and Safety: Going for shopping of an expensive item with cash in your pocket is really very risky. You may get robbed by the corner of the street, but no one can harm your hard earn money if it is lying in your bank account and in the form of a credit card in your pocket. Thus, going for a credit card will keep you secure.

Reward Programs: The best credit cards in Pakistan are offering its customers with the jaw-dropping reward programs. Such programs offer you points that can help you in cash, travel or good services, each time you make a purchase with your credit card. If you keep your credit card charging nicely, you will end up with no debt to you.

Dreadful Aspects:

Overspending: The open line of the credit card is the most dangerous yet attractive thing. While you are in the store looking for a TV and you come up with the laptop that you are inspired with, and you end up buying both of them is dangerous for your bank account. People are seen spending more than they can afford, by using their credit cards. This is really dangerous for you. Thus to use a credit card, the control on your spending habits is a must.

Related Read: Visa Or Master? Which Credit Card you Should Go for?

Fees and Interest Rates: Despite you have planned to pay back your credit card for the TV, in three months but you end changing your priorities. Rather than paying it in the decided installments you start focusing on requesting to pay a minimum amount per month and skip one or two cycles. In such cases, the interest will shoot up. And you will have no idea when the bargain turned into a high debt. The only way you keep things align is to pay the balance in full or in minimum time.

Long Impact of Mistakes: Despite it is bad to be the charge for PKR 5000 for delaying or missing a single payment but, breaking the rule will also bring you some long-lasting negative impacts on your credit report. This flaw in your credit report will stay with you for a really very long time and will keep pinching you in a number of ways. If you own a card, you need to keep your credit report as clean as possible.

Identity Theft: What will you do if your card gets stolen and someone shops the TV instead of you. Although you can register a complaint about the card theft and misuse and you will not have pay for the TV. But the thieves these days are very smart they have got their hands on skills to apply for a credit card in your name and rob your identity. Thus, it is important for you to know where your credit card is and who is using it and for which purpose.

By reviewing all these goods and bad we can come to only one conclusion that it’s not the credit card itself that makes it good or bad, it the person who owns and use it. If used properly you can come up with a number of benefits from the credit card. However, if you are not careful and concerned about your spending and buying attitudes, you are not looking after your numbers on the credit report, you will have to face some long-lasting negative impacts.

Related Read: Top 5 Reasons your Credit Card Application can get Rejected

Thus, before heading to check the credit card requirements, check your own habits of spending and alter them before taking a credit card in your hands.

 

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Which Terms You Need to Learn before Applying for a Credit Card? https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/01/which-terms-you-need-to-learn-before-applying-for-a-credit-card/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/01/which-terms-you-need-to-learn-before-applying-for-a-credit-card/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:46:20 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3016 A credit card is one of the most contemporary and efficient ways to support your expenses and keep a backup […]

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A credit card is one of the most contemporary and efficient ways to support your expenses and keep a backup for your hard times. It is a support that your bank provides you in your tough times when you lack money to deal with any matter. However important is to make sure that you are using this facility in the right way.

Nothing comes like a piece of cake; you need to put some efforts and attention to earn the benefits of anything. Likewise, you need to apply for the best credit card package and services that suit your earning capacity and expenses. A credit card is not just of one type. There are different types of credit cards with different packages. Every bank offers different kind of benefits or services to the credit card users at different stages.

To get a credit card for you, important is to learn what a credit card is? How it helps you? what must you know before applying for a credit card? The answer to all these questions will help you make a better decision for your expense management and thus, better future.

Related Read:  Top 5 Reasons your Credit Card Application can get Rejected

How to Choose a Credit Card

Among hundreds of credit cards, you must go for the one that suits you the best.
To choose the best credit card for you, first of all, you need to know that why you are looking to have a credit card? You can think of having a credit card for the following reasons:

  • To buy stuff online or shop during holidays
  • Pay your bills online
  • To keep some backup amount for use at times when you run out of cash

No matter for what reasons you choose to use a credit card, the important thing is that if you will be paying off, the amount you owe each month or just spreading the repayment for a long period.

If you are able to pay the utilized amount, on the whole, each month, you will be able to earn advantage of the interest-free period. In such a case, the interest rate may not be that important for you but, you might have a look at the credit cards that come with random incentives. There are many cards that offer you discounted shopping on famous brands. Most appreciated and trusted credit cards also offer facilities to the customers on special occasions like Eid or new years to shop with discounted price.

Even if you are able to pay the full amount at one time, it is important to plan what you will do if you are not able to do so?

Related Read: Want your First Credit Card? These Requirements from Banks you Need to Know

What If You Will Not Pay Back the Amount Used?

If so, you will end up paying the interest on the amount spent. Every bank has different interest ratio on different cards and with different packages. The exact amount of interest depends on what package or card you are selecting.

Thus to take complete benefit of a credit card it is important to spend wisely. Do not go for a random shopping just because you have amount limit on your credit card. Do not forget to be sure that you are able to pay the used amount, tomorrow or the day after.

Following are some key terms you need to get hold of before applying for a Credit Card:

The Annual Percentage Rates

The cost of borrowing on your credit card, if you are not able to pay the used balance each month. Compare the percentage rate with different cards you are considering or are offered to you. Go for the one with the cheapest percentage. Also compare the points like charges, incentives and fees.

Minimal Repayment

When you are not able to pay off the used balance every month, the credit card supplying authorities will ask you to pay the minimum amount. Most commonly it is about 3% of the net amount that you need to pay. However, it can vary. So check and compare before making a final decision.

Annual Charges

It is also important as there are some credit cards that charge annual fees for using their services. This fee is added to the amount you need to pay back to the card. Important to note is that you will have to pay an interest on the fee as well. But if you are paying it fully, you won’t need to pay any interest.

Charges of the Credit Card

For this you need read the credit agreement in detail and check what are the other charges that you will have to pay? Usually, you will have to pay if you have gone above your credit limit, if you used the card abroad or if you made a late payment.

The Introductory Interest Rates

This is the point where you will pay low interest or not at all. After a certain time limit, this rate will increase. For example, it will increase after 6 months or a year staring form a certain date. If you are comparing different credit cards, check which introductory date rate will last the longest. Also, check the change in interest rate at the end of the introductory period.

The Rewards of Loyalty Points

These points end up depending on the amount you spend and then use them to buy things. This can be a particular shop or brand. Check how these rewards can be used and how they can give you benefits.

Getting the Cash Back

As you are paying some amount to use the facilities of a credit card, so it is your right to know how and when you will get money refunded to your card, depending on the amount you spend. For instance, in some cases, it implies only when if you are paying your balance in full, every month. Prefer to go for a lower interest rate. Choose a card that is offering you the lowest interest rate among all the shortlisted credit cards.

You Can Apply for Credit Card

  • By online form filling at bank website of the service provider (available in some cases)
  • By post
  • By call
  • By visiting the bank building/branch
  • Or simply apply through Smartchoice.pk

Apply for Bank Alfalah Credit Card

You will fill the form and the service provider will check the record you have provided and will check if you are eligible to own the credit card or not. The services provider will check your bank records that are commonly known as the previous bank statement.

Your bank statement will tell the financial analyst if you are a good earner or how you spend your money, how much money do you normally borrow etc. it will also tell if you are good payers and follow laws and regulations or not.

Read the application form carefully before filling it and up and before signing it. Make sure that you are presenting all the information right. Any false information or misleading will lead to rejection of credit card services. If you are not sure how to fill the form you can ask the credit card service provider, or the bank representative to fill the form for you.

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Top 5 Reasons your Credit Card Application can get Rejected https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/09/top-5-reasons-credit-card-application-can-get-rejected/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/09/top-5-reasons-credit-card-application-can-get-rejected/#comments Sat, 30 Sep 2017 12:51:16 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=2999 Do you want to know, how well credit card business is doing in Pakistan? According to the most recent report […]

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Do you want to know, how well credit card business is doing in Pakistan? According to the most recent report published by State Bank of Pakistan “Payment System Review “for the period of July-December 2016. There are 36.2 million payment cards in circulation. Debit cards hold the highest percentage of 48% whereas; credit cards are on the lower side with 3% only. Almost 1.2 million credit cards are used as a payment instrument.

Credit cards are still in the process to gain some momentum. If, you are thinking to apply credit card from 12 major banks in Pakistan. Then don’t forget to keep in mind some of the major factors that will lead to rejection of credit card application.

Related: Want your First Credit Card? These Requirements from Banks you Need to Know

Here, we will discuss top five reasons that predominantly lead to non-acceptance:

1. Your credit history isn’t so impressive!

When banks issue credit card, they look into your credit history. Your debit- to credit ratio needs to be healthy. Most of the banks in Pakistan will refuse the application due to delayed payments. Keep this ratio low so the issuing bank is comfortable lending you money.

Normally, banks look into your ECIB report. Electronic Credit Information Bureau is central database created by state bank of Pakistan. This report provides the information about the individual’s history of lending offered by banks. That’s not it; this tool also gives complete information about your payment schedule and burden on your income with respect to your monthly installments.

Banks rarely give you credit when you need the most. Keep your report clean by filing your income tax, timely payment of loan installment and finally, paying credit card bills within the grace period. Take advantage of good credit lines when you are flying with best credit scores!

2. Expenses more than your monthly income

The Income statement is a reflection of your financial progress. Banks don’t do business with you infect they invest in your income statement. If your expenses are more than income then banks will barely look into your application. According to Forbes, your credit score is not enough to win you a bank card.

Your income is the key for approval. It’s quite obvious, “who will sit in a sinking boat”?
According to Socio-Economic Status of Pakistan, 15% and 25% Pakistanis falls in the category of rich and upper middle class.

socio economic status Pakistan

Source

The picture explains, why credit card is still not a popular payment instrument in Pakistan! Banks/DFI’s have market of 40 million of Pakistanis. Almost 130 million people don’t have enough resources to repay the loans.

State bank of Pakistan has issued clear instruction in this regard. There is a complete manual regarding operational guidelines for credit card business in Pakistan. In this guideline, chapter 2.5 instruct the Banks/DFI’s to properly assess the credit history before issuing credit card to any applicant. Normally, the risk department or compliance department is responsible for customer financial evaluation.

Related: 5 Top Banks Offering Credit Cards in Pakistan

3. False credentials

Don’t try to mislead your bank it may cause legal consequences to you. Especially in the situation when your business is going down and you wind up with debts you can’t pay. Misleading information results in two possible ways. First, the customer deliberately tries to overstretch its income statement to get hold of a credit card. Secondly, the illiteracy rate in Pakistan is drastically low. Consequently, people are not aware how to give accurate information to the banks.

According to Pakistan bank association, Credit card Pakistan has recorded the highest default rate since its arrival. It is considered as the most unsecure mode of financing because of no security from the borrower. Still, People consider it as a luxury facility and hold two to three credit cards at the same time.

KYC (know your customer) policy helps the banks/DFI’s to verify customer income, phone, postal address and other relevant details. Try to give accurate and updated information to the banks. Once, you will be caught red- handed then it will be difficult to get out of the bank “clutches”.

4. Too many credit lines

Have you availed too many credit lines in a recent time? This practice will affect your credit profile. Too many hard inquires will categorize you as a riskier borrower. Further, it will clearly indicate that you need loan due to financial setbacks. Analyst suggests that, if you are an active credit card user then focus on building credit history with one or two cards. Keep your debit-to-credit ratio below 30%. None the less, it is a wise decision to avail credit with low interest rate but keep it for short period of time.

Banks/DFI’s can sanction limit up to Rs 5,000,000 to their prime customers on the basis of their track record, credit worthiness and financial position. Try to focus on your sending habits rather than focusing on the credit limits.

5. You are too young to apply credit card

You can apply for credit card if you have crossed the 18 year age limit. It also simply means that you should have National identity card issued by NADRA. Furthermore, bank may approve your application as a minor but Pakistani law doesn’t allow taking legal action against a minor. But, banks will not take this risk in case you get default.

However, you can get the card under the age of 18. In that case, you parents will require to co-sign the application. There is a risk involved in that case too, any negative activity will appear on both primary and authorized users.

Related: How to Enjoy your Credit Card without Going into Debt

Final words

Both, commercial and Islamic banks haven’t shown interest in consumer financing in last decade or so. The primary reason is the borrower guarantee. The same factor has affected the credit card business. Credit card in Pakistan has limited market. Banks prefer to target a specific segment of Pakistanis.

Lenders, regulatory authorize and more importantly customers need to be more responsible and rational. As Charlie Munger said,

“Don’t let your credit card debt take over; you can’t get ahead paying the eighteen percent”

The post Top 5 Reasons your Credit Card Application can get Rejected appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

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