The Five Cs of Credit are a set of standards used by financial institutions to measure an individual’s creditworthiness. Each of these five factors acts as a guide to determine the individual's credit risk when providing credit. As a whole, they serve as a point of reference to lenders looking to extend credit to a borrower.

Character is the first of the Five Cs of Credit. This speaks to an individual's credit history and includes information such as their credit score, payment history, and other data. Typically, lenders will review a credit report to assess character before issuing credit. This helps lenders determine an applicant's ability and willingness to make payments on any loan obligations.

Capacity is the second factor of the Five Cs of Credit. When lenders review capacity, they are looking at an individual's debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. This compares the applicant’s debt against their income and provides a measure of whether they can realistically handle additional debt obligations. If the applicant’s DTI is too high, lenders may be unwilling to lend to them.

Capital is the third factor of the Five Cs of Credit. Capital incorporates an individual's savings and investments. This helps lenders determine the financial cushion an applicant may have to fall back on in the event of an economic shock or other financial setback.

Collateral is the fourth factor of the Five Cs of Credit. This refers to the asset-backed or security-backed nature of a loan. For certain loans, an applicant must provide an asset as collateral, such as a car or a house. This provides lenders with peace of mind that there is a form of repayment to depend on if the borrower is unable to make payments on the loan.

The fifth and final factor of the Five Cs of Credit is conditions. This considers the purpose of the loan, the amount requested, and any applicable prevailing interest rates. It’s important to note that interest rates can vary with different loan types, so understanding this detail is essential.

Overall, these five factors provide lenders with a comprehensive analysis and insight into an individual's creditworthiness. This allows said creditors to make an informed decision on whether to extend a loan and the associated terms of the offer. It’s also a helpful tool for an individual to manage and understand their credit profile and make an educated decision when considering new debt obligations.