Reputation:

One has to think both about the reputation of the institution and that of its components. For example, it is important that the institution is transparent, that it explains all the credit conditions well.
Interest rate stability is an important factor that the institution must account for. If you borrow with the expectation of having to pay a certain amount of interest each month, you shouldn't borrow money at a variable interest rate (which goes up or down based on the interbank rate set by the Federal Reserve).
The reliability and familiarity of the institution influences the financial decisions of the borrower.
It is very important that the borrower maintain a good credit history—his own reputation—in order to prove his own reliability when a financial institution has to decide whether or not to lend him money.

Evaluate yourself

Credit is a good idea when you gain financially and a bad idea when it becomes a burden. Before going into debt it is important to evaluate yourself. Is it in your personality to be able to pay a debt? If you are reliable, credit can be a good option. With what you earn, is it possible to pay off the debt? If you have a stable income or growing savings, you are more likely to be able to pay off the debt.