The Credit Cycle refers to the phases of the credit market cycle, including expansion, peak, contraction, and trough. During the expansion phase, there is increased lending, lower interest rates, and rising asset prices, with credit availability at its highest. Signs of overheating and increased risk-taking may be observed. In contrast, the contraction phase sees decreased lending, higher interest rates, falling asset prices, and credit availability at its lowest, leading to market stabilization and the beginnings of recovery.