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Rate Action Tue, May 3, 2005 AddThis Social Bookmark Button

By Thomas Redman, CardTrak.com
Credit Card News - Rate Action

While competition has kept the lid on the lower interest rates offered on new cards, the average interest for existing accounts has climbed from 15.62% one-year ago to 16.75%. During this same period, the prime rate has climbed from 4.00% to 5.75% and will hit 6.00% tomorrow since the Fed raised interest rates this afternoon. Platinum cards, which represent 60% of the U.S. market, carry the lowest interest rates. During April the average rate paid for a Platinum card was 15.97% compared to 14.78% one-year ago. Some issuers continue to offer 0% intro rates on some Platinum cards. The average offered go-to rate on a Platinum card, among the top ten issuers, was 11.65% in April. Gold cards, which are largely marketed to lower income consumers and represent 10% of the market, carry an average rate of 18.21% compared to 17.10% one-year ago. Standard cards, which make up 30% of the U.S. market, carry an average rate of 17.82%, compared to 16.82% one-year ago.

Credit Card Interest Rate Historical
PRIMECARD
Apr 044.00%15.62%
May 044.00%15.67%
Jun 044.00%15.74%
Jul 044.25%15.84%
Aug 044.50%15.91%
Sep 044.75%15.93%
Oct 044.75%16.01%
Nov 045.00%16.18%
Dec 045.25%16.23%
Jan 055.25%16.31%
Feb 055.50%16.41%
Mar 055.75%16.57%
Apr 055.75%16.75%
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)