
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| PRIME | CARD | |
| Apr 04 | 4.00% | 15.62% |
| May 04 | 4.00% | 15.67% |
| Jun 04 | 4.00% | 15.74% |
| Jul 04 | 4.25% | 15.84% |
| Aug 04 | 4.50% | 15.91% |
| Sep 04 | 4.75% | 15.93% |
| Oct 04 | 4.75% | 16.01% |
| Nov 04 | 5.00% | 16.18% |
| Dec 04 | 5.25% | 16.23% |
| Jan 05 | 5.25% | 16.31% |
| Feb 05 | 5.50% | 16.41% |
| Mar 05 | 5.75% | 16.57% |
| Apr 05 | 5.75% | 16.75% |
| Source: CardData (www.carddata.com) | ||