Big changes in store for US credit cardholders

[calmbreeze]

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer Anne Flaherty, Associated Press Writer - 7 mins ago

WASHINGTON - Every American with a credit card will see sweeping changes in the market, with limits on sudden hikes in interest rates that drive consumers deeper into debt. Even cardholders who pay off their balance each month may face new annual fees or lose out on lucrative rewards programs.

Congress wrapped up the legislation Wednesday and sent it to President Barack Obama, who plans to sign it on Friday. The bill will revolutionize the market by restricting when and how a card company can raise an individual's interest rate, who can receive a card and how much time people are given to pay their bill.

In general, the new rules - which go into effect in nine months - will protect debt-ridden consumers from many of the surprise charges common in the industry, such as over-the-limit fees and costs for paying a bill by phone.

"This cements a victory for every American consumer who has ever suffered at the hands of the credit card industry," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Banking Committee.

But there will be losers too.

Banks, which oppose the legislation, will need to make up the cost somewhere, and cardholders who pay off their balance in full each month could see new annual fees and lucrative rewards programs canceled. Credit could become harder to come by too.

Some of the changes, including a requirement that cardholders receive 45-days notice before their rates are raised, are already on track to take effect in July 2010 under new regulations by the Federal Reserve. The legislation would put these changes into law and go farther in restricting when and how banks charge people and who could get a card.

For example, the bill would require people under 21 to prove first that they can repay the money or that a parent or guardian is willing to pay off their debt if they default.

The House passed the reform bill by a 361-64 vote on Wednesday. The Senate had voted, 90-5, for the measure on Tuesday.

Consumer advocates say it's up to the banks to decide what happens next.

Nick Bourke, manager of the Safe Credit Cards Project at the Pew Health Group, said companies already offering transparent pricing won't have to drastically change how they do business. Lenders could probably cover costs with small annual fees in the $15-$20 range or increase upfront interest rates, he said.

"Nothing requires pricing to go up and benefits to go down," Bourke said. "The only thing that is required is that the price offered actually reflects the cost of using the card."

Regardless of how banks respond to the bill, it's passage this week reflects both America's addiction to debt and easy credit's contribution to the economic downturn.

Last year, the Nilson Report estimated that more than 700 million credit cards were in circulation in the United States. That's more than two cards for every man, woman and child.

What's more is that many cardholders are carrying hefty balances. According to the Federal Reserve, the nation is some $2.5 trillion in debt, excluding home mortgages.

Lawmakers supporting the bill say legislation is necessary to stop a vicious cycle: A cardholder falls behind on one bill and watches helplessly as the rate spikes on their existing balance. Buried in interest fees and other charges, they spend less, which hurts local businesses.

Under the bill, a customer would have to be more than 60 days behind on a payment before seeing a rate increase on an existing balance. Even then, the lender would be required to restore the previous, lower rate if the cardholder pays the minimum balance on time for six months.

The practice of charging higher rates and fees to cardholders with risky credit was devised as a means to protect lenders against the risk of default while keeping costs low for consumers who paid their bill on time, said Edward Yingling, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, which lobbied against the legislation.

Yingling says the new rules will limit the card companies' ability to price according to risk.

"Less credit will be available generally, which means some consumers and small businesses will not be able to obtain credit cards at all, particularly younger people and start-up small businesses," Yingling said.

Dodd, who championed the bill, said this argument is absurd and "a little like Chicken Little."

Flooded with complaints by constituents who say they are victims of abusive practices by the card companies, the Senate fast-tracked Dodd's bill and only five senators voted against it.

Two of the opposing senators - GOP Sen. John Thune and Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson - were from South Dakota, where thousands of jobs depend on the industry. Thune estimated up to 5,000 workers in the state would lose their jobs as a result of the changes.

Included in the bill is an unrelated measure by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., that would allow people to bring loaded guns into national parks and wildlife refuges.

The House approved that provision separately on Wednesday by a 279-147 vote.

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Associated Press Writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

[calmbreeze]

May. 20, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Doing what the government has just done is not going to help any of us at all. It just made it worse. Government now owns the ability to decide when and how much things will be done. Is this what you wanted? Is this what you asked of your representive to do for you? If not, I say then let's get them outta there. There's something in it for them and not for you.

Please call right now if you have credit cards and credit card debt an legit credit card consolidation place and get yourself completely out from underneath the heavy pile of bills. Pay off those bills As Soon As You Get Your Paychecks and once the very last bill is paid then cut up for good those cards and never ever get one again. There not worth it. Do not allow yourself to be fooled anymore! You do not have to have credit to get a house, a car,an education,etc.. All the banks are to do is look at how much money is in it to see if you have the amount to be able to pay for whatever item you are trying to purchase. That is it. These banks and places that work with the banks stopped doing this years ago and refused to tell the people of this country the truth. We are now learning this the hard way because we trusted the banks and the people in our government. It I believe is time for those nasty wasty corrupt people to be given what they deserve. A pink slip. Anyone with me on that? 

Please, please, please budget, budget, budget your wallet. It is freedom when doing this and not when you don't. This country has seen and felt what it is like to not budget. We are all hurting because we haven't listen to these sound experiences from our past. I am saying these things because I care about you my fellowmen and do not want to see you and yours continually be in pain. Please call the number of a legit consolidation place and get out while you still can. Which you can! 

I know for a fact these places work because my mother was in debt for a very long time and it wasn't until she called Nelnet that she was able to brake free from her debt and for good. She just this last year got off of years and years of debt. It cut her having to pay for more years in more than half of the time so please call today. These consolidation places will not take those whom have filed for backrupcy so if you are thinking about filing for bankrupcy please do not and call an legit consolidation place today. You and yours will not only feel much better you will be much better off and will have less stress. Thank you all for taking the time to read my very important message to all of you. 

P.S.

For those whom have filed for backrupcy you still can get out from underneath the pain too. Cut up all those credit cards if you haven't already and refuse to get any. Sit down and force yourself to be on a budget. Remind yourself what happens when you don't budget. It will help you stick to it and keep you pain free. Any other suggestions on budgeting and so forth I suggest you go here  http://www.providentliving.org/channel/1,11677,1709-1,00.html . This is what they teach in our religion and it works. I can testify that to you that it does because I myself do it. Sound advice from those whom know makes more sense to take than with those whom seem to think they know. Please remember that as well. Love you all!         

(Original Poster)