PFBlog logo

My Personal Finance Journey

Personal finance observation, musing and decisions in a journey toward financial independence by 36 with at least $1 million.

  Home | Feed: feed-icon.gif | About | Progress: June 07: $756,924 | Best of PFBlog | Product Reviews | PFBlog Digest | Disclaimer | Advertise | Contact Me

...

Credit-Card Penalties Hit New Highs





Time to tightly manage your plastics! At 30% APY, you will be paying 2.5% monthly interest!

From Wall Street Journal:

Some major issuers, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc.'s Citibank and Bank of America Corp., are now charging maximum penalty rates that have edged past 30%. Although some banks charge a fixed penalty rate, other rates are typically tied to the prime rate -- the rate banks charge their best customers -- plus a fixed percentage that varies by bank. Now, many of those variable rates are expected to climb even higher given the Federal Reserve's increase in the short-term interest rate to 3.5% this week, which pushes the prime rate to 6.5%.

Penalty rates, which become the new rate paid on any outstanding balances, typically kick in when cardholders are late on a payment or two, exceed their credit limit or bounce a check. Bank of America's penalty rate, for example, could apply if cardholders miss two consecutive payments or are past due two times within a six-month period, according to a company spokeswoman.

What do you think of this post? Be the first to share your opinions.

Enjoy the latest personal finance news and commentary at PFBlog Network.
Similar Posts

Visa to Cut Ties with Card Processor (August 22, 2005)
CardSystems finally pays for its mistake.
Consumer Action: 2005 Credit Card Survey (August 21, 2005)
Amazing independent research on credit cards.
Fee Free Visa (August 11, 2005)
No string attached? Is it too good to be true?
Venus vs Mars (August 2, 2005)
Cashback is my first pick.

Read all 17 articles in the same category.

Read More ... All Other Posts In The Same Category

PREMIUM SPONSORS

Car Loans
Dallas Bankruptcy Attorney
Personal Loans
Car Finance
Homeowner Loans
Cheap Car Insurance
Mortgages UK & CCJ Mortgage
Used Cars
Loans
Commercial Mortgages and Business Loans
Guaranteed Car Finance
Payday Loan
Personal Loan
Student Loan Consolidation.com
Secured Loans
Bad Credit Loans - Free Quote