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This research aimed to describe the financial knowledge, usage practices, and perceptions of credit card holders in the Panama metropolitan area regarding credit card debt. The research employed a quantitative, descriptive, and non-experimental design, aiming to characterize the phenomenon without manipulating variables. The population for this research consisted of residents of the counties of Bethany, Bella Vista, San Francisco, Ancona, Caledonia, and Santa Ana; the sample comprised 383 individuals, estimated with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The data collection technique was a questionnaire using closed-ended questions with a Likert scale. The results were processed and presented using SPSS in frequency and percentage tables. A key finding is that, while some respondents are aware of important aspects such as interest rates and minimum payments, this knowledge does not equate to responsible usage practices. It was also found that planned credit card use is very weak, and more than half of the respondents stated that using financial products can increase their personal debt. The findings indicate that financial education is clearly important, but it is considered necessary to implement it through practical, preventative, and contextualized programs that promote the responsible use of credit, spending planning, and the prevention of over-indebtedness among credit card users at Panamanian banks.
