Credit Limit

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Credit Limit


Credit Limit

Quick Summary of Credit Limit


The credit limit is the maximum amount of money that may be charged to your credit card account. The issuer will usually allow you to carry the full amount as an unpaid balance provided you make minimum payments and pay the finance charges due each month. Most charge additional fees if your account exceeds the credit limit.




What is the dictionary definition of Credit Limit?

Dictionary Definition


A credit limit is the maximum amount of credit that a financial institution or other lender will extend to a debtor for a particular line of credit (sometimes called a tradeline). For example, the maximum that a credit card company will allow a card holder to borrow at any given point on a specific car

This limit is based on a variety of factors ranging from an individual’s ability to make interest payments, an organization’s cashflow and/or ability to repay the principal, to the credit standards employed by the lender. A credit limit is also based on the borrower’s recoverable assets in the event of default.

Credit limits are most often seen by consumers in the form of revolving lines of credit known as credit cards. Other examples include home equity lines of credit, residential mortgages/owner-occupier home loans with redraw facilities, a commercial line of credit or a Bank guarantee. The limit imposed in most cases is fixed for the life of the product, except in the case of credit cards that may be raised upon application by the card holder or offer by the card issuer.


Full Definition of Credit Limit


A credit limit is the explicit borrowing ceiling set by a lender for a particular customer. The credit facility having a credit limit can take many forms, both secured and unsecured. The line of credit, letter of credit, and credit card all have a credit limit. An example of secured debt would be the home equity line of credit, or HELOC, where the credit limit decision would take into account the amount of home equity accumulated. On the other hand, the credit limit on a credit card, which is unsecured, would be based entirely upon creditworthiness. The creditor can raise or low the credit limit at its sole discretion. One exception relates to Regulation U, a Federal Reserve rule that limits the credit limit a customer can be offered to buy securities on margin.

Credit Cards

When you first receive your credit card, your card issuer will have set you a credit limit. This is the maximum amount you are allowed to spend on the credit card. Remember, this is a limit, not a target!

The credit limit is determined by the information supplied on your application form and its own credit scoring process. The card issuer will, as a matter of course, have checked out your credit record with a credit reference agency.

If you attempt to go over your credit limit you could find your credit card is refused by the retailer. If the transaction is allowed you may be faced with financial penalties from your card issuer.

If you think you are likely to go over your credit limit, for whatever reason, you may contact your card issuer and request a higher limit, which it may or may not grant.


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Credit Limit. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
March 29, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/credit-limit/.
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Credit Limit. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/credit-limit/ (accessed: March 29, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Credit Limit. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/credit-limit/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Credit Limit are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 4th August, 2021 | 0 Views.