AbstractInformal credits are penetrating into the normal life of rural households in an unprecedented manner. There are several factors which influence rural households to borrow money from informal lenders at a rate unusually higher than the normal rate. This study identifies the antecedents of dependence on informal credit using empirical evidences from rural households in Kerala. Quick access to informal credit, poor access to formal credit and consumerism are found to be the factors influencing rural households for dependence on moneylenders.