Policy Press

Affordable credit

The way forward

By Sharon Collard and Elaine Kempson

Published

Feb 9, 2005

Page count

48 pages

ISBN

978-1861346872

Dimensions

297 x 210 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Affordable credit

The poor pay more for many things but, arguably, it is the extra they pay for credit that puts the greatest strain on their budgets. This report looks beyond the rhetoric that has dominated much of the debate on high-cost credit to examine the scope for widening access to more affordable credit.

The report explores what people on low incomes want from a credit source. It also analyses the constraints on lending to poor people. It looks at the scope for reducing the costs of lending and widening access to more affordable credit, and estimates the scale of demand for affordable credit.

This report should be read by commercial and not-for-profit lenders, campaigners, policymakers and anyone studying or researching issues around poverty and financial exclusion.

Sharon Collard is a Research Fellow at the Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC), University of Bristol. Elaine Kempson is Professor of Personal Finance and Social Policy Research and Director of the PFRC.

PFRC leads the way in research into personal finances, money management and financial decision making.

Introduction; Borrowing on a low income; Lending to people on low incomes; Widening access to affordable credit;

Related Titles