Credit & Finance Glossary

AMEX — American Express

AMEX stands for American Express, a major card issuer and network.

BANA — Bank of America

BANA stands for Bank of America, N.A. — the bank behind Bank of America cards and loans.

Barclays — Barclays Bank Delaware

Barclays (Barclays Bank Delaware) issues many US co-branded travel and retail credit cards.

Capital One — Capital One

Capital One is a major bank and credit card issuer (Quicksilver, Venture, Platinum, and more).

CBNA — Citibank N.A.

CBNA stands for Citibank N.A. — Citi's banking arm, which issues many co-branded cards.

Charge-off

A charge-off is when a lender writes off an unpaid account as a loss, usually after about 180 days late.

Collection account

A collection account is a past-due debt that has been sent or sold to a collection agency.

Comenity Bank — Comenity Bank

Comenity Bank issues store credit cards for dozens of well-known retail brands.

Comenity Capital Bank — Comenity Capital Bank

Comenity Capital Bank is a sister bank to Comenity Bank that issues another set of store and brand cards.

Credit limit

A credit limit is the maximum you can borrow on a revolving account like a credit card.

Credit One Bank — Credit One Bank

Credit One Bank is a card issuer that focuses on people building or rebuilding credit.

Credit utilization

Credit utilization is how much of your available credit you are using — one of the biggest factors in your score.

Delinquency

A delinquency is a missed or late payment, usually reported once you are 30 or more days past due.

Derogatory mark

A derogatory mark is a serious negative item on your report, like a late payment, charge-off, or collection.

Discover — Discover Financial Services

Discover (Discover Financial Services) issues Discover cards and runs its own network.

DSNB — Department Stores National Bank

DSNB stands for Department Stores National Bank, a Citi bank that issues Macy's and Bloomingdale's cards.

FICO Score

A FICO Score is the most widely used credit score, ranging from 300 to 850.

FNBO — First National Bank of Omaha

FNBO stands for First National Bank of Omaha, which issues its own and several co-branded cards.

Hard inquiry

A hard inquiry is a credit check that happens when you apply for credit; it can lower your score slightly.

Installment loan

An installment loan is a fixed loan you repay in equal payments, like an auto loan or mortgage.

JPMCB — JPMorgan Chase Bank

JPMCB stands for JPMorgan Chase Bank — the issuer behind Chase credit cards and many co-branded cards.

NAVYFCU — Navy Federal Credit Union

NAVYFCU stands for Navy Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the US.

Revolving credit

Revolving credit is an account like a credit card where the balance and payment can change month to month.

Secured credit card

A secured credit card is backed by a cash deposit and is one of the best tools for building or rebuilding credit.

Soft inquiry

A soft inquiry is a credit check that does not affect your score, like checking your own credit.

SYNCB — Synchrony Bank

SYNCB stands for Synchrony Bank, the issuer behind many store and brand credit cards.

THD/CBNA — The Home Depot (Citibank)

THD/CBNA is The Home Depot store card, issued by Citibank (CBNA).

USAA — USAA Federal Savings Bank

USAA is a bank and insurer serving military members, veterans, and their families.

VantageScore

VantageScore is a credit score model built by the three bureaus, also ranging from 300 to 850.

WebBank — WebBank

WebBank is the issuing bank behind many fintech and retail credit products.

WFDS — Wells Fargo Dealer Services

WFDS stands for Wells Fargo Dealer Services — the auto-loan arm of Wells Fargo.