Credit Card Glossary - N

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National Bank

A bank chartered by the federal government and a mandatory member of the Federal Reserve System.

National Credit Union Association

Created in 1970 to charter and supervise federal credit unions.

National Foundation for Consumer Credit (NFCC)

Non-profit group that educates consumers about using credit.

National Issuers

The overwhelming majority of credit cards in the U.S. come from a handful of national issuers, such as First USA, MBNA America and Bank of America. They often originate from lender-friendly states such as Delaware and South Dakota that impose no limits on what cardholders can be charged.

NCUA

National Credit Union Association: Created in 1970 to charter and supervise federal credit unions.

NCUSIF

National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund: Insures credit union deposits.

Net Worth

The total value of all assets, such as house, car, furniture and investments, minus all debts, such as mortgages and credit card bills.

NFCC

The National Foundation for Consumer Credit is a nonprofit organization that educates consumers about using credit wisely. The NFCC is the parent group for Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

Nondischargeable Debt

A debt that cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy. Examples include some taxes and, usually, federally guaranteed education loans.

NSF

Also referred to as a returned or "bounced" check charge or non-sufficient funds fee. The amount of money charged to an account holder whose account has insufficient funds available to pay the check, which is returned to the party who cashed it unpaid. (The bank did not advance the funds to cover check.)