credit card issuers

In what may be an early sign that credit card users are again having trouble paying their bills, five of the nation's top six credit card issuers say late payments rose in September.

Javelin Strategy & Research ranked the top U.S. credit card issuers methods for protecting customers from identity fraud in a study released Tuesday.

Before the recession, credit card issuers were eager to hand out plastic, relaxing their standards to the point where it seemed anybody could get their hands on one or more cards.

It’s commonly known and generally accepted that banks, credit card issuers, auto lenders, credit unions and finance companies see your credit reports when you apply for a credit benefit.

Many of them can pull your credit reports and scores as often as they want as part of their ongoing account management practices.

The Credit CARD Act is good news for consumers and puts a stop to many of the more nefarious practices of the credit card issuers.

But it doesn't stop everything, and they are already finding new ways around it.

The new rules, which go into full effect Feb. 22, threaten to take a big bite out of the $15 billion in penalties and fees the industry collects each year.

So what have banks and card issuers done? Come up with new fees. With a full 44% of U.S. households carrying a balance on their credit cards, the CARD Act was designed to protect consumers.

Most major credit card companies say fewer customers defaulted on their accounts in July, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're financially better off.

When handling consumer disputes, credit card companies have a critical tool for keeping down legal costs: The option to avoid court and go to arbitration.

A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts details the extent of some of the unethical and deceptive practices by major credit card companies.

Washington, D.C. (PRESS RELEASE - December 18, 2008) - The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is concerned that new regulations from the Federal Reserve on credit card issuers may serve to raise costs and diminish credit for consumers and small business owners.