Credit card usage among young professionals has grown rapidly in the Philippines due to digitalization, financial inclusion, and evolving consumer habits. This study examines how credit card knowledge, social norms, and materialism influence credit card usage, with self-efficacy as a mediating factor. A sample of 166 young professionals in Makati City was determined using G*Power. Data were analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test relationships among the variables. Findings revealed that credit card knowledge significantly influenced self-efficacy (β = 0.166, p = 0.022) but did not directly affect credit card usage (β = 0.078, p = 0.221). Social norms negatively impacted self-efficacy (β = -0.425, p = 0.000) yet showed no significant effect on usage (β = -0.085, p = 0.322). Materialism was negatively associated with self-efficacy (β = -0.211, p = 0.042) but did not significantly predict usage (β = -0.027, p = 0.736). Overall, self-efficacy emerged as a crucial mediator, translating knowledge into responsible financial behavior. Future research should explore cultural comparisons and the influence of digital media on financial practices.

Keywords: credit card knowledge, social norms, materialism, self-efficacy, young professionals