Credit Cards
Credit Cards
Credit Cards
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Instead of rational optimization, heuristics are used which leads to bias in credit card behavior. Mental accounting and
limited attention are also prevalent. (Attention is stretched thusa people have a difficult time focusing on both the
benefits and consequences of their choice related to card repayment (Ponce et al. 2017). Barboza (2018) and Kuchler &
Pagel (2017) empirically showed that card holder’s exhibit present-bias resulting in overuse of their cards and delay in
the repayments. Heuristics like balance matching are also used for card repayment. Bannier, Gartner & Semmler (2018)
and Gathergood et al. 2018 found that allocation error (cuckoo fallacy) is exhibited in the repayment of credit card debt
whereby repayment of the card that produces more new debts are usually done.
Financial Knowledge and Cards Usage Behavior
Hilgert, Hogarth & Beverly (2003) examined the behavior of households and concluded that credit management depends
on financial knowledge. While Jones (2005) concluded that knowledge didn’t influence behavior. Thus the relationship
between financial knowledge and card usage behavior has been varied and conflicting. The results of the studies vary
depending on the behaviors studied, methods of measuring financial knowledge and the populations used in the study
(Peng, Bartholomae, Fox & Cravener, 2007).
Future financial problems can be avoided through financial knowledge (Avard, Manton, English & Walker 2005;
Braunsberger, Lucas & Roach, 2004, Shim, Barber, Card, Xiao & Serido, 2010). Contrarily, Robb & Sharpe (2009) used
six-questions to measure financial knowledge and found that knowledgeable individuals have higher balances.
Woodyard, Robb, Babiarz & Jung Woodyard (2017) used logistic regressions to analyze four types of financial behavior
and found that financial behavior is influenced by the level of knowledge. Credit card literacy positively influences
financial wellbeing especially when college students own fewer credit cards (Limbu & Sato, 2019).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample Frame and Sampling Procedures
Data were collected using a convenient sample of credit card users from various socio-economic backgrounds in India.
The total numbers of respondents were 400.
Development of the Questionnaire
The questionnaire used for collecting data consisted of three sections; demographic information, CCL, and CCUB. A
literature review formed the basis for developing the questionnaires. The content validity of questionnaires was checked
by academic and industry experts and then a pilot study was conducted to test the reliability. Based on their advice the
items in the scale were later modified. Data were collected from June 2018 to January 2019.
In this study, CCL was measured by the response to questions shown in table 1. Customers were asked to rate their
awareness of the terms and conditions of credit card providers. On a scale of 1-5, the average score 1-2 were classified as
low, 3 as medium and 4-5 as high credit card knowledge. For measuring CCUB table 2 was used. Risky responses serve
as the reference group.
Table 1: Awareness of terms and conditions
Source: RBI/2015-16/31 DBR.No.FSD.BC.18/24.01.009/2015-16
https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasCirculardetails.aspx?id=9838
RESEARCH METHODS
Risky credit card behavior is predicted using variables. As the prediction is dichotomous logistic regression is suitable.
The equation for logistic regression is given as;
𝑃(𝑌) =1/{1+𝑒−(𝑏0+𝑏1𝑋1𝑖+𝑏2𝑋2𝑖+⋯+𝑏𝑛𝑋𝑛𝑖)}
Where P(Y) is the probability of Risky Behavior; Xi predictor variable; bi coefficient of predictor variable; e is the base
of natural logarithms and b0 is a constant.
Results and discussion
The CCL was found to be 34 percent. The results of the logistic regression are shown in table 4.
Maximum Credit Limit
The independent variables can predict between 24.4% and 33.6% of the spending and the overall correct prediction is
73%. Literates, males and educated persons are less likely to spend up to the maximum credit limit. Age and occupation
are not significant.
Timely Payment
The independent variables can predict between 16.8% and 23.2% of the spending and the overall correct prediction is
69%. Higher CCL persons, higher age groups, educated and salaried persons are more likely to pay on time. Gender is
not significant.
Only Minimum Payment
The independent variables can predict between 11.6% and 16% of the spending the overall correct prediction is 74%.
Higher CCL persons, higher educated and business persons are less likely to make only minimum payments. Females are
more likely to make only minimum payments. Age is not significant.
Delinquent in payment
The independent variables can predict between 15.4% and 21.1 of the spending and the overall correct prediction is
68.7%. Higher CCL persons and males have a lesser likelihood of delinquency in payment. Age, education, and
occupation are not significant
Advances on Credit Card
The independent variables can predict between 15.9% and 21.6 of the spending and the overall correct prediction is 67%.
Higher CCL and persons in the age group of 41-50 and above 50 are less likely to take an advance on credit cards. While
males and persons engaged in business are more likely to make advances on credit cards. Education is not significant.
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
The CCL was found to be low (34 percent) as compared to previous studies such as 53 percent Chen & Volpe (1998), 52
percent Mandell (2004), 56 percent Jones (2005), and 37 percent by Lusardi, Mitchell & Curto (2010). Individuals with
higher CCL have been found to engage in less risky behaviors such as spending up to a maximum credit limit, making
the due payment on time, the lesser likelihood of delinquency in payment and taking lesser cash advances. Previous
studies such as Norvilitis et al. (2006) and Robb (2011) also found that lower financial knowledge results in more credit
card debt and riskier use of credit cards.
Gender wise differences are found related to the credit limit, minimum payment amount, delinquency in payment and
advance on credit cards. On some parameters, males show a riskier behavior while other females have been found to
engage in riskier behavior. Age is significant as respondents from higher age groups are more likely to pay on time.
Also, the age groups of 41-50 and above 50 are less likely to take an advance on credit cards. Lastly, salaried persons are
more likely to pay on time, to make only minimum payments and less likely to take a cash advance. Previous studies
such as Chien & DeVaney (2001) and Gartner & Todd (2005) also found that CCL and education were important
factors. Previous studies such as (Themba & Tumedi, 2012) have also highlighted the demographic differences in
CCUB.
Thus, it is important to increase the knowledge of the terms and conditions associated with credit cards in India, as this
will encourage a more conscious usage. We can increase the CCL through a financial education program on credit
cards. Also, the outreach strategy should be as per the stages of the life cycle of a card user. Apart from traditional
methods digital methods such as short films, cartoons and quizzes should be promoted. There is also a need to account
for the demographic differences in credit card behavior while conducting the training program. Training programs for
the credit card holder should be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India and NGOs for consumer protection, in
collaboration with credit card providers.
LIMITATIONS
The present study supports that higher CCL is associated with more beneficial credit card usage. Due to the lack of a
standardized tool to measure CCL, the findings of this study may be restricted. There is a need to develop a consistent
and common measure of credit card knowledge for future studies. Another limitation is that some demographic factors
such as family size, ethnicity and location have not been included in this study. Future research should also focus on
factors that can improve CCL as it is associated with better credit card usage behavior.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author confirms that there is no conflict of interest.
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Table 4 Results of Logistic Regression
Maximum Credit Limit Timely Payment Only Minimum Delinquent in payment Advances on Credit
B S.E Exp(B) B S.E Exp(B) Payment S.E
B Exp(B) B S.E Exp(B) Card
B S.E Exp(B)
CCL- L
CCL- M - .367 .177* 1.016 .33 .362* -.568 .318 .566* - .325 .319* - .319 .355*
CCL- H 1.734
-.635 .371 .530* .334 3.36 .716* -.449 .358 .638* 1.142
-.374 .355 .688* 1.035
-.507 .356 .602*
Gender-F -.994 .359 .370** -.816 1.33 .442 -.809 .316 .445* -.965 .324 .381* .905 .316 .405**
Age 1
Age(31-40) .328 .543 1.388 .627 .53 1.872* .285 .512 1.329 -.102 .499 .903 .141 .495 1.151
Age(41-50) 1.100 .681 3.003 1.288 3.65 3.625* .951 .619 2.587 -.007 .606 .993 -.997 .600 2.709*
Age(Above 50) 1.896 .789 6.662 1.717 4.73 5.571* 1.364 .701 3.912 .614 .690 1.849 - .698 7.251*
Education 9 1.981
Education(Intermediate) -.535 .524 .586** .065 .49 .937* -.088 .481 .915** -.136 .488 .873 -.261 .499 .771
Education(Graduate) - .574 .163** 1.418 1.53 .242* - .518 .306** -.638 .504 .528 -.755 .522 .470
Occupation-Salaried 1.812
- .692 .147 -1.486 7.62 .226* 1.185
- .591 .296* -.575 .573 .563 1.727 .593 .178*
Constant 1.920
1.250 .666 3.490 .252 7.62 1.287 1.219
.211 .605 1.235 .627 .603 1.872 .602 .617 1.826
-2LL 304.585 333.224 8 350.244 344.002 347.595
Cox , Snell R2 0.244 0.168 0.116 0.154 0.159
2
Nagelkerke R 0.336 0.232 0.160 0.211 0.216
Classification Accuracy 73 69 74 68.7 67
*Statistically Significant (P<0.05)
**Statistically Highly Significant (P<0.001)