Basic Types and Factors of the Credit Behavior of Russian Citizens

The paper provides the analysis of citizens' credit behavior issues based on sociological research data collected in autumn 2002 in Russian big regional centers. The method of principal components is used for defining main factors which characterize attitudes to money, savings, debt and credit. The paper examines the influence of gender, age, education and other social and demographic variables on the inclination to borrowing. The hierarchical cluster analysis used helps to define six groups (clusters) of people. Each group has its specific attitude to saving and borrowing. The differences between groups in basic components of the credit behavior (experience of borrowing, selection of a creditor, preferences with regard to the credit amount and time of payment, acceptable interest rate) are considered.