CreditCards.com: Weekly Credit Card Rate Report

Business Wire, Oct 25, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas -- Select major credit card categories experienced declining interest rates this week, amid continued bank reaction to the Federal Reserve's recent monetary policy change. On the research front, analysts warned that lending woes could spread to credit cards.

A majority of banks index their credit card annual percentage rates (APRs) to the prime rate. According to the Fed, 54% of card issuers tie card interest rates to prime, with most banks adjusting variable rates 30 days or one billing cycle after a change in the prime rate.

Among the popular credit card categories tracked by CreditCards.com, low interest and balance transfer cards had the lowest APRs.

Rates for card categories tracked by CreditCards.com are listed below:

                           <

Credit Card Rate Averages  <

                           <

Low Interest               <
11.67%
Balance Transfer           <
11.69%
Cash Back                  <
12.49%
Business                   <
13.81%
Instant Approval           <
13.38%
Reward                     <
13.53%
For Bad Credit             <
13.36%
Airline                    <
15.34%
Student                    <
16.83%
                           <

Source: CreditCards.com    <

Updated: 10-25-07          <

Wall Street expressed concerns about credit card debt. Lehman Brothers downgraded Capital One Financial, American Express, Discover and the credit card sector as a whole amid increasing card delinquencies and weaker consumer spending. The brokerage explained that the credit card sector could be in danger if economic weakness and declines in home prices produce higher card chargeoffs, with the analyst warning that a faster-than-anticipated rise in unemployment could lift chargeoffs to historically high levels.

The CreditCards.com credit card rate survey is conducted each week using data from the leading card issuers in the United States.

Introductory offer periods and regular interest rates can vary depending on applicants' credit quality and issuer risk-based pricing policies.

About CreditCards.com

CreditCards.com is a leading online credit card marketplace connecting consumers with multiple credit card issuers, including nine of the ten largest in the United States, based on credit card transaction volume. Through its website, http://www.creditcards.com/, CreditCards.com enables consumers to search for, compare and apply for more than 150 credit cards and offers credit card issuers an online channel to acquire qualified applicants.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available for print or broadcast with attribution to CreditCards.com.