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News Library - November, 2004

Paw Card November, 30, 2004

Those cuddly little "Boyds Bears" have landed their own credit card. Cleveland-based National City has launched a co-branded card with PA-based The Boyds Collection Ltd. The new "Boyds Bears VISA Platinum" credit card offers one collectible bear for the first ... more

Plastic Volume November, 29, 2004

Americans made $598.8 billion in purchases and cash advances on VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards during the third quarter of this year. Through September 30th, consumers charged more than $1.7 trillion on major credit ... more

Black Days November, 24, 2004

While there is a lot of yackety-yak about "Black Friday," the blackest days will likely be December 11th, 18th and 23rd. If you want to avoid lines at the payment register try November 29th and 30th, as well as December 6th and 7th. more

Secret History November, 23, 2004

The skinny on the credit card business will be available to you tonight when PBS airs the "Secret History of the Credit Card" on FRONTLINE. The 60-minute commercial-free documentary reveals how banks developed the credit card business into an industry with ... more

Card Debt November, 22, 2004

While 185 million Americans have at least one credit card, only 144 million consumers have at least one bank credit card. Over the past 10 years the average revolving bank credit card balance per carded American household has more than doubled from $2,942 to ... more

PrimeLock November, 18, 2004

If you've got pristine credit you might be able to qualify for a free major credit card that carries an interest rate equal to the prime rate. Now that interest rates are rising, Capital One has introduced the "PrimeLock Platinum Card" which adjusts its ... more

Fancy Cards November, 15, 2004

MasterCard and VISA are experimenting overseas with some fancy cards. MasterCard has come up with series of jewel-encrusted card cases and VISA is adding light and sound to its cards. more

Sept Debt November, 12, 2004

The roller coaster trend in revolving credit resumed in September as revolving credit soared at an annual rate of 10% after declining more than 3% in August. During September, consumers piled on more than $6 billion in revolving credit, mostly credit card ... more

5% Prime November, 10, 2004

The Fed helped push credit card rates higher just ahead of the holiday spending season, by increasing short-term interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25%). The prime rate, which is used by most credit card issuers, will hit 5.00%, compared to 4.00% at the ... more

Kmart Rewards November, 9, 2004

Kmart has launched a new store credit card that carries special rewards. The new "Kmart Rewards" credit card offers $10 off the first card purchase of $50 or more and a $10 reward for every $250 in account purchases thereafter. more