Banker Quote by Henry Hazlitt
““There is a strange idea abroad, held by all monetary cranks, that credit is something a banker gives to a man. Credit, on the contrary, is something a man already has. He has it, perhaps, because he already has marketable assets of a greater cash value than the loan for which he is asking. Or he has it because his character and past record have earned it. He brings it into the bank with him. That is why the banker makes him the loan. The banker is not giving something for nothing.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Economics in One Lesson, 1949
Credit is not created by banks; it reflects a borrower’s existing assets and reputation, enabling lenders to assess risk.
In simple terms: Credit comes from what you already have.
Key Takeaway
Build assets and reputation to access credit.
Themes
finance
trust
risk
economics
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- starting a business
- securing a loan
- personal finance
- investment
Key Concepts
creditworthiness
asset‑backed lending
Questions to Reflect On
- What assets can you develop to improve credit?
- How does reputation affect borrowing?
A Different Perspective
Banks still influence credit availability through regulation.
![“Every man's credit is proportioned to the money which he has in his chest. [Lat., Quantum quisque sua nummorum condit in area, Tantum habet et fidei.]” quote by Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/510/juvenal-918_areas_every-man-s-credit-is-proportioned-to-th_2619385.jpg)
