A balloon payment is an inflated instalment that falls due at the end of the credit agreement. Under the NCA, a balloon payment can now be offered to any consumer on an instalment sale or lease agreement. The balloon amount is traditionally associated with a projected estimate value. The estimate value is influenced by the length of the credit agreement, i.e. (i.e. 36, 48 or 60 months), and by the market sentiment toward the vehicle being financed. Since the risk associated with a balloon payment is borne by the customer, he/she is liable for the full balloon value in the final month of his/her contract. The balloon forms part of the payment stream.