Banks and borrowers warned to curb appetites for easy credit

Finance expert says consumers must avoid the pitfalls

DUBAI // Banks and individuals alike have been urged to be more responsible in approving and taking out personal credit.

The appeal came after the UAE Central Bank announced that total personal loans hit Dh349.9 billion last month, a 3 per cent increase from January.

Keren Bobker, senior partner at Holborn Assets, said many borrowers were taking out more credit than they could possibly repay.

“People have always borrowed to meet annual rent payments and to buy cars but there are also those who build up debts to meet daily outgoings, as well as to fund holidays and unnecessary spending,” she said.

“It doesn’t help that banks seem to regularly increase credit limits without even being asked to and promote loans and card as lifestyle choices.”

Credit was too easy to access for many in the UAE, Ms Bobker said.

“Even the setting up of the Etihad Credit Bureau is not preventing people from taking out excessive loans and exceeding sensible limits on credit cards,” she said.

The Debt Burden Ratio – the ratio of total monthly instalments of credit cards and loans to the total income of an individual – is set at 50 per cent by the UAE Central Bank but it is breached far too often, she said.

High personal debt can become a major concern when people begin to struggle to repay the credit they have taken out.

“It is very stressful as once a person misses a payment, most banks start calling regularly and put a lot of pressure on people to repay,” said Ms Bobker.

“I am told that people often feel threatened. Sadly, some people bury their heads in the sand rather than face the problem, which obviously does not help.”

As the cost of living increases in the UAE, many people are tempted to take out loans because salaries have not kept pace with inflation.

“I know there are a great many people with levels of debt that are virtually unmanageable,” she said.

Many fall into the trap that taking out credit is normal and having loans and large outstanding balances on credit cards is the way things are done, she said. “When banks advertise loans so people can buy gifts for Mother’s Day, it is clear that things are not as they should be,” Ms Bobker said. “As well as banks taking more responsibility in their lending, individuals need to as well. The fact non-payment of debt is a criminal offence doesn’t seem to put some people off. Anyone borrowing money needs to factor in how they will be able to repay it.”

She urged people with personal debt to be realistic in how much they can repay per month.

Restructuring credit card debt into a personal loan at a reduced rate of interest can lower monthly payments. Banks should also be more amenable to people seeking a solution to debt issues. Ambareen Musa, founder of comparison website Souqalmal.com, said expatriates tended to accumulate debt faster than Emiratis in their pursuit of a lavish lifestyle, which in many cases is funded with loans and credit cards.

Data from her website revealed that personal loans were the most-visited product category on the site last year, with 40 per cent of all visits. Credit cards came second, with just more than 30 per cent of all visits. “We advise borrowers to come up with a plan to cope with debt – cut all unnecessary expenses and aim to repay the debt with the highest interest rate first, especially credit card debt,” said Ms Musa.

“Borrowers can also speak to their bank about restructuring the terms of their loans. This could involve extending the tenure to help lower the instalments. For temporary relief, it may also be worthwhile to check about a penalty-free payment holiday for two to three months.”

The cost of living has increased in the UAE, but salaries have not kept pace with inflation