2006 New York Code - Definitions.

 
    § 710. Definitions. Whenever used in this article:
    1. "Consumer" means a natural person.
    2. "Creditor" means a person, partnership, corporation, association or
  other  entity who, in the ordinary course of business, regularly extends
  consumer credit. The term creditor includes any agent of a creditor  for
  collection, processing or other purposes.
    3. "Consumer credit" means credit extended to a consumer on an account
  pursuant  to  a plan under which the creditor may permit the customer to
  make purchases or obtain loans, from time to  time,  directly  from  the
  creditor  or indirectly by use of a credit card, check, or other device,
  as the plan may provide. The term does not include  negotiated  advances
  under an open end real estate mortgage or a letter of credit.
    4. "Credit balance" means any money or credit owed to, or held for the
  benefit  of,  a  consumer  by  a  creditor on a consumer credit account,
  whether resulting from an overpayment or return of  merchandise  by  the
  consumer, or otherwise.