Credit Cards | Credit Card Topics

Opinion: Issuers Must Play Their Cards Right as Customers are Willing to Switch for Premium Perks

By: Bobbi Rebell, 4/7/2025

Americans are reeling as they try to figure out what the new Trump Tariffs will mean for their financial wellness. Stocks tumbled in the days after the president revealed the details of his tariff plan, putting investors on edge. Billionaire Mark Cuban made headlines telling people to stock up on consumer goods before price hikes kick in. Mark Cuban suggested consumers should stock up on non-perishable consumer goods as tariffs are expected to increase prices. In... read more »

Navy Federal Credit Union Adds to Its Suite of Credit Cards by Launching a Secured Cash Back Card

By: Eric Bank, 4/4/2025

Navy Federal Credit Union recently introduced a new rewards credit card to add to its suite of products: the cashRewards Secured credit card, a rewards-earning secured credit card designed for credit builders and underserved military consumers. The product move reflects an effort to provide a more seamless on-ramp into Navy's well-known family of rewards and travel cards. With a secured product reflecting the value proposition of its unsecured cashRewards card, the credit union is... read more »

Visa Offers $100M to Replace Mastercard as Apple Card’s Payment Network; American Express in the Mix

By: Eric Bank, 4/2/2025

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are having a tug-of-war over whose network will get to provide the back-end plumbing for the Apple Card. That’s not exciting, I know, but here’s the kicker: Wall Street Journal published that Visa reportedly offered Apple a staggering $100 million to abandon Mastercard and join its ranks. That’s not a casual offer — it’s the kind of money Visa sets aside for offers to giants like Costco. When the Apple Card came... read more »

Opinion: Gen Z is Ready for Their Credit Card Glow Up

By: Erica Sandberg, 3/31/2025

Keeping up with the kids isn’t always easy. When I asked my daughter what the latest word for “cool” is she replied, “glowed up.” So when I read the headline to this column to her she laughed, and laughed, and said yes, before dashing off to yoga. Assuming she wasn’t pulling my leg, I’m going with it because — as it turns out — credit cards are hip to the segment of the U.S. population between the ages of 13 and 28. The statistics that bear this out are... read more »

Debt Relief: U.S. Bank’s Latest Credit Card Stands Out with an Industry-Best, 24-Month 0% Intro APR

By: Andrew Allen, 3/27/2025

Credit card debt is on the rise in the U.S. as consumers rack up balances they can’t — or choose not to — pay off each month. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York details that credit card debt grew by $45 billion during 2024’s fourth quarter. No other form of household debt came close to matching the growth in credit card debt during the quarter. Consumers now owe more than $1.21 trillion in total credit card debt. And 7.18% of credit card debt is at least 90... read more »

Chase’s United MileagePlus Cards Raise Fees, Add Tailored Value to Perks and Benefits

By: Adam West, 3/26/2025

United Airlines announced on Monday that it is revamping its lineup of United Airlines co-branded Chase credit cards and raising annual fees across the board on the popular card series and airport lounge membership. Chase’s new United family of cards provide MileagePlus members with tailored benefits for their specific style of travel, according to the launch announcement. The company said customer feedback helped develop the features for the revamped cards. “Credit... read more »

Opinion: As Issuers Aim for the Sweet Spot Between Debt and Delinquencies, So Should Cardholders

By: Erica Sandberg, 3/3/2025

Per Federal Reserve data, the total credit card debt in the United States hit a whopping $1.14 trillion in Q3 2024. In fact, it's the highest debt level in over 25 years, since the Fed has been tracking this statistic. And now (shocked-not-shocked) consumers are falling behind on payments, and a rising portion of them are not paying their bills at all. When the cardholder is 120 days to 180 days delinquent on payments, the issuer will usually write the debt off its books,... read more »

Opinion: CFPB or No CFPB, Robust Competition Should Keep Credit Card Issuers Honest

By: Erica Sandberg, 2/24/2025

My plea to U.S. consumers: Please don’t panic. If the Trump administration is successful in shutting down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for good, people will still be able to open new accounts, pay for things with their cards, earn rewards, and turn to consumer protection laws should they need them. The Bureau’s closure will not cause credit accounts to automatically become more expensive or the terms to get more confusing. Nor will credit cards become less... read more »

Opinion: A Credit Card Rate Cap Could Do More Harm Than Good

By: Bobbi Rebell, 2/17/2025

My husband is upset about the price of eggs. He eats them for breakfast almost every day and is very aware of the high prices he is paying. At first it was about inflation, but then rates came down. So now there’s a new reason - bird flu - but the reality is the same: Egg prices are too darn high. Credit card customers are upset about extra sky-high interest rates. They went up as the Fed raised rates to curb inflation, and so shouldn’t they have come down as inflation eased?... read more »

HELOCs May be More Attractive Than Credit Cards to Homeowners Seeking Financing at Low Rates

By: Andrew Allen, 1/28/2025

Increases in home values have made HELOCs an enticing financing tool for consumers. Credit cards often come with much higher interest rates than HELOCs. Issuers can keep card portfolios healthy by advertising card benefits and marketing to consumers who aren’t comfortable putting their home on the line to secure a HELOC. Credit card issuers can lose customers to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which allow homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their homes.... read more »

6 Finance Experts Pick the Best Credit Cards for Beginners in 2025

By: Mike Senecal, 12/12/2024

I didn't always have the financial experience I have today. As a consumer, I had to start at the beginning like everybody else. The problem is that starting at the beginning with credit cards can mean facing some pretty serious obstacles. That's because the lending industry works on reputation. More than anything, card issuers look at your credit history to determine how much to lend and at what cost. But what do you do if you don't have a credit history or your file's too thin... read more »

Survey: 83% of Consumers Select Credit Cards Based on Perks, But Few Cardholders Use Them

By: Jon McDonald, 12/9/2024

Credit cards have long been regarded as useful tools for consumers. They allow access to an instant line of credit, build up your credit score, and protect against fraud and unauthorized purchases. Aside from these general advantages of using a credit card, many credit card companies incentivize consumers to apply by offering perks and deals for prospective cardholders. Additional perks such as cash back rewards, price protection, travel discounts, and more are just another... read more »

What is a Secured Credit Card? A Guide to Deposit-Backed Credit Options

By: Eric Bank, 10/22/2024

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “secured?” Maybe it’s the warm and fuzzies when curling up by the fireside. Or is it a more literal version, such as locks turning on safety deposit boxes? Whatever images the word conjures for you, “secured” has a particular meaning in the credit card world, and that’s exactly what I’ll dive into today. A secured credit card is backed by an upfront deposit that you must pay before you receive... read more »

What is a Credit Card Issuer? More About the Institutions That Extend Credit to Consumers

By: Eric Bank, 10/21/2024

Wouldn’t you love to rip the masks off of the institutions responsible for issuing credit cards? What are they really up to, and how can you pick a trustworthy one? Well, saddle up because I’m about to shed light on some of the lesser-known facts surrounding credit card issuers, explaining their role in helping — or sometimes tripping up — folks like you when it comes to making purchases and how you can choose the right one without stepping into a mess. Credit card... read more »

Protect Your Payments With Virtual Credit Cards That Offer Privacy, Convenience, and Eco-Friendly Benefits

By: Mike Senecal, 1/21/2025

Our U.S. readers may not appreciate how different the payment card market is in the European Union, where many nations operate debit card networks that don't allow international transactions. Times are changing, in part because of Getsby, a Netherlands-based virtual debit card issuer that appeals to EU and UK consumers with a global mindset. Virtual cards from Getsby securely mask payment details while providing consumers with all the modern conveniences and benefits,... read more »

What is an Unsecured Card? A Guide to Traditional Credit Cards and Their Rates, Terms, and Limits

By: Erica Sandberg, 11/19/2024

Chances are that, like me, you have an unsecured credit card or two in your wallet. Or maybe you're interested in getting one for the first time. These accounts are great to have because, unlike their secured card cousins, you don't need to submit any cash to the financial institution to guarantee the credit line. Instead, the issuer grants you a credit card based on your past credit history, credit scores, and overall financial circumstances. Most credit cards are unsecured, so... read more »

76% of Americans Are Concerned with Running Up Credit Card Debt This Year

By: Jon McDonald, 4/30/2024

Americans have accumulated record debt on their credit cards, as credit card balances increased by $50 billion to $1.13 trillion over the quarter (Q4 2023). Our latest consumer survey revealed that three-quarters (76%) of Americans surveyed have voiced concerns about running up balances on their credit cards this year. The numbers are strikingly consistent between genders, with female respondents (74%) slightly less concerned about credit card debt compared with males (77%).... read more »

The Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card Helps Organizations Manage Spend and Establish Credit

By: Mike Senecal, 4/25/2024

Nonprofit charitable organizations, schools, and associations have essential social missions to uphold. Yet they also must exist in the world of business and payments to grow and extend their mission. Charity Charge is a public benefit corporation dedicated to helping nonprofits thrive. The Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card offers easy no-fee purchasing and spend management exclusively to nonprofits. Charity Charge also provides tips, tools, and information to help... read more »

10 Best Merchant Account Providers for 2024

By: Mike Senecal, 2/1/2024

A merchant account is a must for businesses of all sizes to accept electronic payments and access efficient transaction processing and settlement services. The most helpful merchant account providers offer value-added services, including seamless security to mitigate data breaches, omnichannel transaction capabilities, the ability to accept popular payment types, and POS solutions. Platforms should be easy to integrate with existing accounting and business management software and... read more »

10 Most Influential Credit Card Experts for 2023

By: Mike Senecal, 12/20/2023

The more you know, right? There's plenty of credit card help available online — and plenty of expertise to draw on. If you're on a journey to learn more about the financial services industry in general and credit cards in particular, it's a great idea to mesh with an expert to gain wisdom. We like to think we know a little about credit cards, and we credit the individuals on this merit-based list of the 10 most influential credit card experts. So sit down with a screen and dig... read more »

A Personalized Comparison Engine and Ratings Help creditcardGenius Match Consumers With Ideal Cards

By: Andrew Allen, 7/24/2023

Choosing the right credit card is an important decision, but it’s not an easy one. The credit card market offers card seekers so many different options that it can lead to analysis paralysis. The creditcardGenius card comparison engine is a fun and intuitive tool that matches prospective cardholders with the right card for them. creditcardGenius and its partner site moneyGenius also provide numerous financial education tools and resources aimed at boosting overall... read more »

APMEX and OneGold’s Bullion Card is the First Credit Card to Offer Precious Metal Rewards

By: Andrew Allen, 7/13/2023

OneGold offers a variety of ways for investors to directly own gold, silver, and platinum. The Bullion Card enables cardholders to accrue precious metal rewards through everyday purchases with a higher rewards percentage on gold and silver purchased on OneGold.com and APMEX.com. Precious metals hedge against inflation and are a valuable component of any diversified portfolio. The process of buying and selling precious metals is made simple with OneGold. Prospectors... read more »

Zolve’s Credit Building Card Helps Consumers Access Financial Services and Earn Rewards

By: Mike Senecal, 4/19/2023

International students and professionals who move to the US to work or study must start from scratch financially, even when they have good credit scores back home. US citizens new to financial services overcoming setbacks must also build credit to access financial services. Everyone who lives and works in the US can use Zolve's Credit Building Card to build a credit score while earning up to 10% cash back rewards. Zolve's Credit Building Card is a product for... read more »

Mercury Financial Offers Near-Prime Borrowers Credit Access with a Prime-Level Experience

By: Mike Senecal, 5/8/2023

In the highly competitive fintech credit space, Mercury Financial reaches out to a near-prime audience with prime-level products and services. It offers cards without annual or setup fees, flexible payment options, and first-class benefits and rewards. A friendly mobile app includes tips and tools to help customers maximize their credit. High-level data analytics enables the team to offer the best opportunities to more customers. And a purpose-driven approach to business... read more »

Grain Links Debit to Credit Lines and Monitors Spending to Help Users Build a Positive Credit History

By: Jon McDonald, 2/28/2023

When consumers start their credit journey from scratch or need to rebuild after a setback, achieving a good score is a challenge. Grain is an app that offers a novel solution for overcoming credit access barriers. It links an existing debit card to a line of credit based on consumer spending patterns without a credit check. Tools within the app help users monitor credit utilization and payment activity. It also helps mitigate overdrafts in their linked accounts,... read more »

• About Us »	• Editorial Policy »
• In the Press »	• Media Assets »

All articles tagged Credit Cards (51)