Consecuencias en la capacidad adquisitiva de las personas de estrato dos (2) en Bogotá por la utilización de instrumentos de crédito: Caso tarjeta de crédito Codensa.

Abstract

In Bogotá, individuals in socioeconomic stratum 2 face difficulties accessing financial services. The Codensa credit card emerges as an easily obtainable option, linked to the electricity service, which simplifies the application process. However, this ease of access can lead to misuse of credit, especially in households with low levels of financial education. Lack of understanding about how the card works creates risks of over-indebtedness, which are exacerbated when it is used to maintain social status or respond to emotional impulses without considering its impact on the monthly budget. In lower-income strata, credit is mistakenly perceived as additional income, compromising economic stability and fostering dependency to cover basic needs. Existing studies (Arango & Cardona Sosa, 2019; Ramírez Duarte, 2015) analyze factors such as income, gender, and age but overlook financial education, which is essential for responsible use. Therefore, it is necessary to assess how the use of the Codensa card affects the purchasing power of households in stratum 2 and to promote financial education to prevent negative impacts on their economic well-being.