OREANDA-NEWS.  August 06, 2014. According to survey, conducted by Citadele Bank, 36% of the inhabitants of Latvia are using credit cards, 20% of which being active users, while 16% keeping them in purse for safety. The number of credit card users has a trend of stable increase upon the increase of personal income.

It is visible among the respondents that the number of credit card users increase upon the increase of personal income of inhabitants. It shows that people are responsibly using the opportunities, provided by a credit card and credit limit, and borrow, upon making sure that they will be able to pay back the amount.

The most active users of credit cards are inhabitants with the income level exceeding 900 euros (37%), while the most seldom they are used by inhabitants, the monthly income of which being below 300 euros (12%). Most often (26%) the inhabitants with the income level between 700 and 900 euros keep credit cards for safety or psychological comfort, while in the most seldom cases (10%) the credit card is kept for safety by inhabitants with the income above 900 euros.

Each third inhabitant of Latvia, who has attained the age of 18 years, is the owner of a credit card, thus providing an opportunity for him or herself not only to pay by card on a daily basis, but also to use the credit limit for unexpected spendings or bigger purchases at any time. According to the survey performed by Citadele Bank, these are the most significant opportunities, which are important both for the owners of credit cards as well as those, who are still not using a credit card.

"Credit card may serve both as a safety guarantee as well as a card for daily spendings, however it is important that people consider the use of credit limit as much carefully as, for example, taking a loan. In order to facilitate the responsible use of a credit card and credit limit, we have determined the minimum level of income required for the customer in order to receive a credit card and use a credit limit appropriate to their income," indicates Dace Priede, Director of the Citadele Retail and SME Services Directorate.

The most active credit card users are consumers in the age between 40 and 49 years. While the smaller number of credit card users are among youth, where 13% actively use it. Among people of senior age there is an evident trend to store credit card due to safety reasons.

The survey conducted by Citadele Bank took a place in April and 771 inhabitants of Latvia older than 18 years participated therein.