OREANDA-NEWS.May 05, 2012. So say the majority of respondents to a poll conducted by Uniastrum Bank on its website which asked “What does Consumer Credit mean to You?”, reported the press-centre of Uniastrum Bank.

The results of the poll reveal that 65% of respondents believe that access to consumer credit offers positive benefits, most of them also affirming that the ability to borrow improves the quality of life. 15.4% said consumer credit increased the capacity for self-discipline and enhanced financial responsibility, while another 13.6% stated that they regarded taking out a loan as one way of improving their career prospects and earning potential.

Even so, for 6.8% of those taking part in the poll consumer credit meant more stress, while a fraction over 6% said borrowing was simply another name for living beyond one’s means. Notwithstanding the active efforts of many Russian banks to enhance the general public’s financial literacy and to explain the fundamentals of banking services, 19% of respondents claimed that consumer credit inevitably led to insuperable debt problems and dependence.

“By and large our customers take out consumer credit for what can be broadly described as the more domestic aspects of life, such as weddings, home decoration and repairs, building a summer cottage, buying furniture or household appliances,” notes Vasily Kuznetsov, Deputy Chairman of Uniastrum’s Management Board. “It was primarily with these objectives in mind that we devised and launched our Access personal loan program, which has proved itself to be an ideal way for borrowers to finance whatever they have in mind today, rather than having to postpone it to a later date.”

Uniastrum Bank’s Access loan option has frequently been cited as the best deal on today’s consumer credit market. Results released by Sravni.ru web portal show that this month Access is still the cheapest personal loan scheme around.