assets Items of value which
include cash, real estate, securities, and investments.
bankruptcy A proceeding in
which an insolvent debtor can obtain relief from payment of certain obligations.
Bankruptcies remain on a credit record for seven to 10 years and can severely
limit a person's ability to borrow.
Consumer
Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) A nationwide,
nonprofit organization that helps consumers get out of debt and improve their
credit profile. National headquarters: 8701 Georgia Avenue., Suite 507, Silver
Springs, MD 20910. Phone: (800) 388-2227.
credit The money a lender
extends to a buyer for a commitment to repay the loan within a certain time
frame.
credit rating The degree of creditworthiness assigned to a person based on credit
history and financial status.
credit
report A detailed account of an individual's
credit, employment, and residence history. A lender uses this report to
determine a loan applicant's creditworthiness.The three largest credit bureaus
are Trans Union Corp., Equifax, and Experian (formerly TRW).
debt Any amount one person owes
to another.
Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc., is one of the "Big
Three" credit-reporting bureaus that operate nationwide. Address: P.O. Box
740249, Atlanta, GA 30374. URL: http://www.equifax.com. Phone: (800)
685-1111.
liabilities A borrower's debts and financial obligations.
