N.Y. GBS Law § 710

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