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SA consumers turn to personal loans, unsecured credit to survive

Debt-strapped citizens are taking short term loans to ‘balance’ cash flow as wages fail to keep up with the cost of living This content is restricted to registered users and…

South Africa’s informal sector, which continues to expand, has the potential to address the economic exclusion that fuels conflict over limited resources in underdeveloped areas such as townships (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Debt relief won’t be a quick fix

Writing off debts of the poor, as laid out in a Bill before Parliament, may take up to seven years

SA credit extension continues to decline

A slower pace of credit extension has been observed for all credit types, the National Credit Regulator said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on the media to stop their “endless hostility” and “false attacks”. (Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Two million South Africans still fail to stay out of debt

Credit amnesty has mixed results, with some managing their debt better and others failing to repay home loans, vehicle loans and credit cards.

Millions of South Africans are drowning in debt. Consumers owe more than R2.5 trillion to their creditors

Credit information amnesty for consumers in balance

Report reveals that consumers’ financial vulnerability is growing more acute.

(Gallo)

Massmart chief: Consumer spending slowing down

Massmart chief executive Grant Pattison says consumer spending has stagnated, while debt levels have increased.

Feeling the strain: Banks have taken a ‘prudent’ approach.

Banks clutch their purses a bit tighter

Increasing consumer stress and slow growth have prompted a more careful approach to lending.

Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company workers walk to its plant in Redcliff

Zimbabwe investors find glass half-full

Uncertainty has become a way of life for businesses eyeing Zimbabwe’s consumer boom. Jason Moyo reports.

Fiery champ of your right to a fair deal

Fiery champ of your right to a fair deal

The consumer commissioner and her staff are battle-ready and prepared to fight the good fight.

Spending on food and health drops

South Africans are spending less on food and health care compared to the last two years, said debit and credit card distributor Sureswipe on Friday.

Clients give credit the cold shoulder

Consumers are focusing on paying off their debt and there has been a marked shift away from credit cards and overdraft facilities.

Households more prudent about credit

Job creation is needed to create "new" consumers, so economic activity is boosted without an increase in household debt.

Credit applications decrease since 2010

Consumer credit granted has increased 31.2%, a report by the National Credit Regulator has shown, but credit applications have decreased by 3%.