In my research, I examine the borrowing processes of the population from a macro and micro perspective. From a macro perspective, the cyclical nature of the economy and lending, along with the time-varying credit conditions and creditworthiness, have an impact on access to credit. This cyclicality is smoothed by the debt cap rules that prevent excessive indebtedness, but at the same time, the state support programs realized through lending appear as an incentive. From a micro perspective, I examine the borrowing decision of Hungarian debtors on an individual level: who borrows, when and how much. Individual decisions are significantly influenced by the level of financial literacy, as well as social experiences related to lending, such as the foreign currency credit crisis that developed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.