Charge card mail may seem like spam, however it could be viewed as a sign the customer credit industry is beginning to loosen. A reawakening of charge card offers is hitting mailboxes across the U.S. Witness the numbers: from Q4 2009 to Q4 2010, credit card mail offers climbed from 551 million to 1.4 billion, says Mintel Comperemedia. Article resource – Recovery Watch: Credit card mail has increased dramatically by MoneyBlogNewz.
Just how credit offers stand out
To be able to attract customer business, more charge card offers are trumpeting no balance transfer fees, no foreign transaction fees and extended low introductory rates. Waiving balance transfer charges is among probably the most popular features. CreditCards.com states that Senior Vice President Andrew Davidson of Mintel stated that businesses will do whatever it takes to stand out above the rest. Those banks in 2010 that charged balance transfer charges, did it at a rate of only 3.06 percent, and about 40 banks and credit unions canceled transfer charges altogether.
The best in the group
The foreign arena or currency conversion fees are a big competitive area for credit card issuers. It might not seem as apparent, but any one traveling for business or not find APR and transfer fees highly important. The typical 3 percent surcharge on foreign transactions can cost quite a bit before the trip is over. Last year a study conducted showed that over 90 percent of bank cards contain this type of fee. Chase, Citibank, HSBC and others currently waive foreign transaction charges on several of their cards, said Mintel.
Extended introductory rates, another bonus
Perhaps probably the most hotly contested area in the charge card mail wars is the extended introductory rate. A low original APR for balance transfers and purchases is appealing to customers, and some credit card issuers even dangle a zero-percent Annual Percentage Rate. The teaser rate offered by credit card typically exceeded 13 months in the fourth quarter of 2010, states Mintel. According to Davidson, that number is expected to grow.
“The squeeze on credit observed during mid-2009 is being reversed, and many issuers are now offering durations of 15, 17 or 18 months or more,” he told Bankrate. “We have even seen offers with 24- and 30-month intro rate durations in recent months.”
Charge card laws have kept the rates of interest even lower
The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD) is the primary reason that APRs continue to stay steady and low. 14.03 percent was the average Annual Percentage Rate in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to Mintel. “Many credit card companies have contrasted their APRs against the relatively high prime rate as a consumer draw,” said Davidson.
Information from
Bankrate
bankrate.com/financing/credit-cards/4-trends-in-credit-card-mail/
CreditCards.com
creditcards.com/credit-card-news/foreign-exchange-fees-going-up-1267.php
Pew Trusts
pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Credit_Cards/PEW-CreditCard FINAL.PDF
WhiteHouse.gov
whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders/
Shop around for a better credit card than this
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