How is consumer credit defined?

Consumer credit is defined as the amount of credit available to consumers for personal use. This includes loans, credit cards, and lines of credit that individuals can access to finance purchases or manage cash flow. This form of credit is crucial for consumers as it allows them to make significant purchases, such as homes, cars, and other personal items, without needing to pay the entire cost upfront.

Consumer credit plays a vital role in the economy, enabling individuals to manage their financial needs and enabling spending that can stimulate economic growth. The other options either pertain to broader financial systems or specific limitations that do not directly encapsulate what consumer credit is defined as. Thus, the emphasis on personal use is what distinctly characterizes consumer credit.