Glossary:Credit or store card unclear balance
Households with a credit or store card unclear balance are households that have not paid in full at the end of the month the amount spent or owed with credit and/or store cards for at least three consecutive months because of financial difficulties.
Credit cards are characterised by a specific credit facility. Money is lent to people between the time they purchase goods and the time of full repayment of the amount. Interest is paid on any balance that is not cleared at the end of the month. There are monthly statements for the money spent specifying the minimum amount to be paid. Credit cards are not bank debit cards, on which the money spent on the card is immediately deducted from a linked bank account.
Store cards are credit cards issued by a single company/store, which can only be used for the company/store payments.