Last year was a difficult one for credit card customers. Interest rates increased significantly, credit limits were slashed for millions of cardholders, issuers closed risky accounts, and rewards were decreased.
Many consumers wondered what would happen after the Credit CARD Act and other regulations went into effect this year. Would credit card consumers really benefit?
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Despite regulations, credit card issuers are still increasing rates and fees in 2010, but less dramatically than last year.
Rate increases
Compared with 2009, this has been a slow year for rate increases. Issuers raised rates dramatically while it was still easy, and most have not made wide-ranging increases since. Here are some recent changes:- Capital One increased the annual percentage rate on its Classic Platinum credit card to 19.8% from 16.9% and on the No Hassle Cash Rewards card (for people with average credit) to 19.8% from 17.9%.
- Citigroup increased its cash-advance rate to 25.24% from 21.99% in February.
Overall, rates are still rising. Based on the 1,000-plus cards in the LowCards.com Complete Credit Card Index, the average advertised rate for credit cards was 13.62% as of July 22. Six months ago, the average was 13.24%, and a year ago it was 12.12%.
Higher fees
Here are examples of higher fees:- In January, Discover increased its cash-advance fee to 5% from 3% and boosted the minimum fee to $10 from $5.
- Bank of America in February added an annual fee for a limited group of cardholders. The fee ranges from $29 to $99 and is applied to some accounts based on risk and profitability.
- Citigroup increased its balance-transfer fee to 4% from 3% in June. It also raised its cash-advance fee to 5% from 3% and set the minimum fee at $10.
- Citigroup added a $60 annual fee to some credit card accounts in April. If a consumer makes $2,400 in purchases in a year, the fee will be credited to the customer's account.
Banks are already preparing fees on basic banking services as they try to replace revenue lost to recent regulatory rules. HSBC and Wells Fargo ended their free checking accounts. Bank of America is testing account fees and options that will be added later this year. Other banks could join in.
Niche cards discontinued
Credit card issuers have terminated some of the specialized cards targeted to consumers during a time of free-flowing credit:- JPMorgan Chase has closed its Starbucks Duetto Visa and credit card deals with Avon Products, basketball's Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic, and hockey's New Jersey Devils.
- Bank of America also has reduced its number of niche cards. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Bank of America has about 4,400 affinity cards, down from 5,000. These are typically offered through college alumni associations and charities.
- The Journal also reported that Chase, the retail bank of JPMorgan, has about 110 co-branded credit cards, down from more than 200. Issuers seem to be eliminating the cards to cut costs and reduce the risk of delinquencies by cardholders.
- Charles Schwab no longer accepts applications for its acclaimed cash-rebate credit card, which was recommended by many consumer advocates and financial writers. The rebate was 2%, one of the most generous cash rebates available, and it was deposited into a brokerage account.
- The National Football League is moving its branded credit card business from Bank of America to Britain's Barclays. This is forcing customers to scramble to spend reward points before they expire next month. They will have to apply for the new card to continue earning NFL rewards.
Continued: Introductory offers expanded
