In this summary, CardWeb concluded that the late payment fee assessed by top credit card issuers now averages $36.50, 23% increase from the average of $29.60 three years ago.

CREDIT CARD LATE PAYMENT FEES (2001/2004)
1. Citibank...............$35.00*/$39.00*
2. MBNA...................$29.00/$39.00*
3. Bank One.............$29.00/$34.00**
4. Chase..................$29.00/$35.00***
5. Discover..............$29.00/$35.00*
6. Capital One..........$29.00/$35.00*
7. Am Express..........$29.00/$35.00*
8. Bank of America...$29.00/$39.00*
9. HSBC/Household...$29.00/$35.00*
10. Providian............$29.00/$39.00****

Average...................$29.60/$36.50

* for balances over $1,000; ** for balances over $1,200
*** for balances over $250; **** for balances over $200

The report is also saying 4.43% of all credit card accounts are past due for 30+ days, an all time high.