Holicent
VIP Contributor
Capacity to service a debt is the borrower's ability to service a debt out of available cash flow or income, or the taxpayer's ability to pay taxes. It is a key element in getting a loan and is known as "capacity" in the banking industry. Capacity can be affected by many factors, including the amount of debt being serviced and other debts that might be in arrears. It can also be affected by a lack of liquidity (the ability to sell assets to raise cash) or access to credit from other lenders.
Factors affecting capacity include:
The borrower's credit rating. Credit ratings help determine what interest rates will be charged on loans. Higher interest rates mean it will cost more for borrowers to borrow money; this generally lowers their capacity for debt service because higher interest payments must be made each month.
The borrower's financial situation and its ability to repay debts on time and in full. For example, if a borrower has gone into bankruptcy or has several other financial obligations that are not being paid, there may not be enough cash flow left over each month to cover regular expenses and all necessary payments on loan terms. Other factors such as changes in economic conditions or recessionary trends can also affect a borrower's ability to repay loans on time.
Factors affecting capacity include:
The borrower's credit rating. Credit ratings help determine what interest rates will be charged on loans. Higher interest rates mean it will cost more for borrowers to borrow money; this generally lowers their capacity for debt service because higher interest payments must be made each month.
The borrower's financial situation and its ability to repay debts on time and in full. For example, if a borrower has gone into bankruptcy or has several other financial obligations that are not being paid, there may not be enough cash flow left over each month to cover regular expenses and all necessary payments on loan terms. Other factors such as changes in economic conditions or recessionary trends can also affect a borrower's ability to repay loans on time.