The ‘Credit Portrait’ of Small-Town Residents as a Support Tool for Economic Assessment in Local Policy: The Case of Poland
Purpose: The study discussed the structure of the ‘credit portrait’ of a small-town resident. This model was verified through a case study of the purposively selected city of Luboń – a suburban municipality within the Poznań metropolitan area, which serves as the regional capital of Wielkopolska, Poland. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research utilised primary data obtained through a diagnostic survey conducted among a randomly selected group of small-town residents. Credit-related decisions were analysed from three temporal perspectives: retrospective (prior to the study), current (at the time of the survey), and prospective (future financial intentions). The study was carried out in the fourth quarter of 2021, involving 380 respondents via standardised interviews. Findings: Based on the results obtained and within the strictly defined context of the study (subject, population, temporal, and spatial scope), a ‘credit portrait’ of a small-town resident was outlined. This model requires constant evaluation. Despite its variability, when comparing the findings against the state of the art, the structure of the model shows signs of stabilisation. It highlights the key credit activities of residents (instalment, cash, and housing loans) and identifies the dominant demographic group as those aged 41–50. Practical Implications: In business practice, monitoring the key credit activities of residents provides vital information for both local and municipal policy (strategic management) and sectoral policy (business risk in banking). Originality/Value: Permanent Identifying, verifying, and evaluating the ‘credit profile’ of a small-town resident serves as a valuable ‘handy barometer’ for local development policy. Despite the volatility factor, the permanent assessment of residents’ ‘credit profiles’ provides an opportunity to mitigate risks across personal, business, and social activities in conditions of economic uncertainty.