26/02/2026
In credit-card industry slang, the word “deadbeat” is the nickname for customers who pay their full balance every month and never carry debt.
Banks use the term because these people generate almost no interest income—the main profit source from cardholders who roll over balances (called “revolvers”). Deadbeats still bring in merchant fees and sometimes annual fees, but they cost the industry far less than customers who pay only the minimum.
The label has been used for decades and appears in financial glossaries, documentaries, and major outlets. Being a deadbeat is actually excellent personal finance: you enjoy rewards, grace periods, and strong credit while paying zero interest.