Category Archives: Credit Cards

Credit Card Finder Releases Australian Credit Card Debt Repayment Calculator

Posted by on January 3, 2012 1 comment

Credit Card Finder Releases Australian Credit Card Debt Repayment Calculator











A preview of the calculator.


(PRWEB) February 4, 2009

Credit Card Finder, an Australian online credit card comparison and application service, announces the release of its free online calculator designed to help individuals calculate and determine the potential savings of credit card balance transfers and interest repayments. With Credit Card Finder’s credit card calculator, users can make a planned, budgeted strategy on their debt consolidation and credit cards.

“Australians are more and more frequently turning to online, independent parties for financial review,” says Mike Jarocki, webmaster of Credit Card Finder. “With the implementation of Credit Card Finder’s new free tool, it’s easier than ever for users to take an educated stand on their finances, especially in a contemporary time of economic downturn.”

By inputting a hypothetical balance, interest rate, monthly repayment and length of repayment, users can successfully determine the total interest they’ll have to repay on their credit card. Users can also enter a payment strategy, which creates a comparison of how much money is saved based on whether the highest interest cards or those with the lowest balance are paid off first.

The credit card calculator also gives users the option to download their calculations as a spreadsheet. With the spreadsheet, users can track different credit strategies over time and determine which method is most effective when it comes to balance management.

In addition to its free use by any consumer, Credit Card Finder’s credit card calculator is also free for webmasters to use on their own Web sites, providing credit is given to Credit Card Finder for the usage.

Credit Card Finder’s credit card calculator is available at http://www.creditcardfinder.com.au/credit-card-calculator . For more news from Credit Card Finder, visit the company’s RSS feed.

Contact information:

Mike Jarocki

Credit Card Finder

4 Ridgetop Place Dural

+61411888778

Mike (at) creditcardfinder (dot) com (dot) au

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Credit Card Rates Climb Again, Latest Industry Shakeup Adds to Uncertainty

Posted by on March 1, 2011 1 comment

Credit Card Rates Climb Again, Latest Industry Shakeup Adds to Uncertainty










Cleveland (PRWEB) November 9, 2005

Credit card rates rose for the fifth straight week, according to the IndexCreditCards.com weekly Credit Card Monitor. In addition, the latest step forward in the Bank of America/MBNA merger, coupled with Wachovia’s announced plans to begin issuing its own credit cards, promised to keep industry averages unsteady.

“In a few months, the credit card landscape will look significantly different than it did just a year earlier,” says Justin McHenry, Research Director of IndexCreditCards.com. “Bank of America will likely have swallowed MBNA, Chase has already acquired Bank One. That’s major consolidation among the largest credit card issuers. At the same time, Wachovia has the potential to become a major player if it so chooses. The danger of too much consolidation could be balanced with the emergence of a large new issuer — it’s hard to know at this point what it will mean for consumers.”

This week MBNA shareholders voted to approve a merger with Bank of America. For a number of years, MBNA has been the issuing bank for Wachovia-branded credit cards, meaning Wachovia credit card customers are actually served by MBNA. In a related announcement on the same day as the MBNA merger vote, Wachovia and MBNA agreed to end their partnership next year, and Wachovia will begin issuing its own credit cards in January of 2006. Current cardholders of Wachovia-branded credit cards will become MBNA customers unless they switch to the new cards issued by Wachovia.

This week’s credit card averages:


“Top-level” consumer credit cards averaged a 9.76% Annual Percentage Rate (APR), up from 9.74% last week and up a full quarter-point in the last month. The Capital One “Prestige” Platinum MasterCard offered the lowest published rate at 5.9%.

The top-level business credit card average rose to 9.95%, from 9.91% previously. Both the Advanta Platinum BusinessCard and the Chase Platinum Business Card offer a 7.99% APR.

IndexCreditCards.com uses “top-level” to describe Platinum or similarly designated credit cards that generally offer the lowest interest rates to eligible cardholders.

Also:

Consumer reward cards rose to an average 10.92% APR, up from 10.89% last week. MBNA offers a number of cards in this category with a published rate of 7.9%.

Business reward credit cards rose to an average 11.67% APR, up from 11.64% last week and 11.31% a month earlier. The significant jump in business reward cards versus standard business credit cards can be attributed to the fact that standard cards are more likely to offer fixed rates, while reward card rates are likely to be variable. The Advanta Platinum BusinessCard referenced above was the lowest rate business reward credit card at 7.99%.

Student credit card rates increased again, to an average 14.91% APR, up from 14.85%. The Wachovia Student Visa and the Sovereign Bank Student Card (both issued by MBNA) offer eligible students a 9.9% rate.

“These averages are based on the lowest rates published by the card issuers,” said McHenry. “If you don’t have excellent credit, add 2% to estimate your rate. Those with poor credit will be offered even higher rates.”

Financial institutions represented in the survey include Advanta, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, MBNA, National City, Providian, Pulaski Bank, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and more.

About IndexCreditCards.com

IndexCreditCards.com offers credit card news, research, and perhaps the most comprehensive index of credit cards available on the Internet today, with a master listing of over 500 credit cards as well as categorized lists based on interest rates, reward programs, business credit cards, student credit cards and credit cards for those with poor credit histories.

Credit Card Monitor is a weekly survey tracking average credit card rates in multiple card categories. Credit Card Monitor information provided in this release may be reproduced free of charge, provided credit is given to http://www.IndexCreditCards.com.

CONTACT: Justin McHenry, 216.374.3176, j.mchenry@indexcreditcards.com

WEBSITE: http://www.IndexCreditCards.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Consumer Credit Card Rates Up Over Half-Percent Since January 1; Business Rates Hold Steady as Issuers Woo Business Owners

Posted by on February 27, 2011 1 comment

Consumer Credit Card Rates Up Over Half-Percent Since January 1; Business Rates Hold Steady as Issuers Woo Business Owners










CLEVELAND (PRWEB) February 15, 2006

Average credit card rates rose significantly again this week, and the average consumer credit card rate has increased by more than one-half percent since the beginning of the year, according to the weekly IndexCreditCards.com Credit Card Monitor.

The average credit card rate for standard, non-reward credit cards jumped to 13.17% this week, up from 13.02% just a week ago and 12.60% at the beginning of 2006. Credit cards offering rewards had an average rate of 14.26%, up from 14.09% last week and 13.80% at the beginning of the year. Consumers with the very best credit enjoy rates a bit nicer — 10.43% for non-reward cards and 11.73% for reward cards on average. Still, those numbers are up from 10.07% and 11.38%, respectively, on January 1.

College students who carry balances continue to get hammered by interest, with the average student credit card rate moving up to 15.77% this week. This compares to 15.59% last week and 15.18% at the beginning of the year.

“Rates had been rising before the new year, but the size of the recent jump is surprising,” said Justin McHenry, Research Director for IndexCreditCards.com. “You’d expect a slow rise as federal interest rates increase, but several issuers have also changed their rate ranges, meaning the base rates they offer new customers have jumped as much as a full percentage point.”

However, one group is avoiding rising credit card interest rates: small business owners. Non-reward business cards offered an average interest rate of just 11.43% this week, up only a bit from 11.33% when the year began. Similarly, business reward cards had an average 13.36% APR, up only slightly from 13.21% on January 1.

“For a number of reasons, credit card issuers really desire small business customers,” says McHenry. “They’re more likely to have higher purchase volumes, and of course the stories of business owners who financed their startups with credit cards is legendary, meaning many small businesses carry balances as they grow. In addition, starting a relationship with a small business owner today may mean a relationship with a large corporate customer in the future. As a result, small business owners can find credit card rates at a significant discount to those of consumers.”

Financial institutions represented in the survey include Advanta, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, MBNA, National City, Providian, Pulaski Bank, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and more.

About IndexCreditCards.com

IndexCreditCards.com offers credit card news, research, and perhaps the most comprehensive index of credit cards available on the Internet today, with a master listing of over 700 credit cards as well as categorized lists based on interest rates, reward programs, business credit cards, student credit cards and credit cards for those with poor credit histories.

Credit Card Monitor is a weekly survey tracking average credit card rates in multiple card categories. Credit Card Monitor information provided in this release may be reproduced free of charge, provided credit is given to http://www.IndexCreditCards.com.

CONTACT: Justin McHenry, 216.221.0312

WEBSITE: http://www.IndexCreditCards.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Recently Launched Site Informs Consumers About Best Rewards Credit Cards

Posted by on February 15, 2011 1 comment

Recently Launched Site Informs Consumers About Best Rewards Credit Cards










(PRWEB) December 28, 2005

RewardsCards.com (http://www.RewardsCards.com)] announces its official launch. RewardsCards.com is a credit card Web site that offers tips and information to consumers who want to learn more about rewards credit cards and how to choose the best one.

RewardsCards.com is meant to be a useful resource for consumers who want information quickly on what the best credit cards are and what the latest new rewards programs are.

RewardsCards.com reviews every type of credit card out there, ranging from airline credit cards (frequent flyer cards) and small business credit cards to cash back credit cards, including Discover and many other cards that offer a true one percent cash back instead of “up to” one percent cash back. It features a list of the top three rewards cards, the top 15 gas credit cards, the top three cards with no balance transfer fee and zero percent APR, as well as the top 10 frequent flyer credit cards.

RewardsCards.com offers many great tips, including extra ways to earn points for airline mile programs and ways to make consumers’ purchases go farther. There is also debt consolidation information and ways to help people consolidate their credit cards. The site features articles such as, “Sneaky Credit Card Fees.”

The site reviews gas rebate cards in depth, which is useful information at a time when 2006 gas rates are predicted to hit record highs again. RewardsCards.com ranks the top gas credit cards as well as lists the ones that did not make the list.

Visitors of the site are free to post or e-mail the Web site and share their rewards experiences with a rewards credit card or rewards program, or even share a personal story about credit card debt.

RewardsCards.com is one of the selected sites currently offering the limited-edition Universal Entertainment King Kong MasterCard®.

RewardsCards.com will launch a version 2.0 in January. The site will feature a credit card search engine that will be customized to consumers’ needs, a mobile launch to help people quickly find card benefits and promotions for using their cards while on a cell phone and on the go, as well as many other added features that are typically not available in some credit card sites today.

Media Contact:

Destry Sanders

214-334-3443

http://www.RewardsCards.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Best Credit Cards Online Site Expanding

Posted by on January 14, 2011 1 comment

Best Credit Cards Online Site Expanding










New York, NY (PRWEB) May 05, 2011

Best Credit Cards Online (best-credit-cards-online.com), an online provider of credit card reviews and rankings, has announced the launch of three additional features to the arsenal of content already on its comprehensive and free consumer website. The advanced features – easy social media connectivity, a website search feature and an advanced user comments section – will benefit visitors by offering a more valuable, complete and rewarding credit card research experience.

Based in New York City, Best Credit Cards Online is renowned as a source of US credit card information, reviews, insight and ratings.

When reviewing a credit card, Best Credit Cards Online considers such parameters as annual percentage rate for purchases and balance transfers, annual and transaction fees, reward programs and extra bonuses. To guarantee that credit card offers are consistently fresh and current, the website is updated on a regular basis.

Taking into consideration increased popularity of reward programs, the website is offering wide range of credit cards in many common reward categories, such as travel, miles, points or cash back credit cards, as well as more specific rewards such as entertainment, Eco-friendly, charity or grocery credit cards. For business owners Best Credit Cards Online offers several categories of best small business credit cards in the country.

To view the new advanced features and learn more about Best Credit Cards Online’s free rankings and analysis, click here Best Credit Cards Online.

About Best Credit Cards Online

NYC-based Best Credit Cards Online is a free online provider of credit card reviews, rankings and ratings. The company has researched and reviewed some of the most popular credit cards issued by many of US banks, including Chase, Iberia Bank, Simmons First Bank, HSBC Bank Nevada and others.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Credit Card Interest Rates Trend Upward

Posted by on January 5, 2011 1 comment

Credit Card Interest Rates Trend Upward










Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) October 12, 2005

Average credit card rates continue to climb, according to the weekly IndexCreditCards.com Credit Card Monitor. A quarter-point increase on many American Express cards had the biggest impact on this week’s averages. The increase from American Express was not surprising, as a hike in federal lending rates last month had already caused other financial institutions to raise rates.

“Top-level” consumer credit cards averaged a 9.64% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) in the latest survey, up from 9.51% last week. The lowest rate found for consumer credit cards without an annual fee was the Capital One Platinum MasterCard, offering a 5.9% APR. During the last week, Capital One shuffled its card lineup, removing the PrimeLock credit card from its offerings while reducing the APR on its Platinum card.

“Top-level” business credit cards averaged a 9.91% APR, up from 9.87%. The lowest rate for business credit cards with no annual fee was the Advanta Platinum BusinessCard, offering a 7.99% APR, as well as a program with travel or cash back rewards.

IndexCreditCards.com uses “top-level” to describe Platinum or similarly designated credit cards that generally offer the lowest interest rates to eligible cardholders.

“These averages are based on the best rates published by the issuing credit card banks,” cautions Justin McHenry, Research Director for IndexCreditCards.com. “Consumers or businesses with excellent credit should be able to find cards at these rates, but those with shakier credit histories may not. If you don’t have top quality credit, add 2% to these averages as a rule of thumb in determining your probable rate.”

IndexCreditCards.com also surveys rates of reward credit cards for consumers and businesses, as well as student credit cards. The latest averages include:


    Reward cards for consumers averaged a 10.77% APR, up from 10.75%. The lowest APR in this group belonged to the MBNA Rewards American Express Card at 7.9%.

    Rewards cards for businesses had an average interest rate of 11.37%, up from 11.31%. The Advanta Platinum BusinessCard referenced above was the lowest rate offered at 7.99%.

    Student credit card rates stayed steady, with an average 14.72% APR. The Wachovia Student Visa offered the best APR at 9.9%. Student credit cards generally offer higher interest rates than basic consumer credit cards due to students’ lack of credit history.

Financial institutions represented in the survey include Advanta, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, MBNA, National City, Providian, Pulaski Bank, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo.

About IndexCreditCards.com

IndexCreditCards.com offers credit card news, research, and perhaps the most comprehensive index of credit cards available on the Internet today, with a master listing of over 500 credit cards as well as categorized lists based on interest rates, reward programs, business credit cards, student credit cards and credit cards for those with poor credit histories.

Credit Card Monitor is a weekly survey tracking average credit card rates in multiple card categories. Credit Card Monitor information provided in this release may be reproduced free of charge, provided credit is given to http://www.IndexCreditCards.com.

Contact:

Justin McHenry

216.374.3176

http://www.IndexCreditCards.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Average Credit Card Rate Tops 13 Percent

Posted by on January 3, 2011 1 comment

Average Credit Card Rate Tops 13 Percent










Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) February 2, 2006

Tuesday’s hike in federal interest rates — the fourteenth straight hike from the Federal Reserve — helped push the average credit card interest rate past the 13 percent mark, according to the weekly IndexCreditCards.com Credit Card Monitor. Major credit card issuers including Bank of America, Citibank, National City, US Bancorp and Wells Fargo announced increases in their lending rates in response to the Fed hike, meaning another quarter-point bump for holders of these issuers’ variable-rate credit cards.

Variable-rate credit cards offer interest rates based on a formula that includes a base rate plus a percentage tied to federal lending rates. When federal rates move up, credit card rates follow.

The average credit card rate for standard, non-reward credit cards jumped to 13.02% this week, while the rate for credit cards offering rewards passed the 14 percent mark, to 14.09%. The news is better for consumers with the very best credit — for them, these averages are 10.28% and 11.61%, respectively.

As always, college students who carry balances are paying more. The average APR for a student credit card moved to 15.59% this week.

For the first time in five weeks, the average business credit card rate also increased. However, the rise was slight, and business card rates remained far below consumer rates. Standard business credit cards offered an average APR of 11.37%, while business reward credit cards offered an average rate of 13.22%.

“It’s unclear whether the Fed hikes are over,” says Justin McHenry, Research Director for IndexCreditCards.com. “With Ben Bernanke officially taking over for Alan Greenspan as Federal Reserve chairman, predictions are varied as to his philosophy. However, most experts think we’ll see at least one more quarter-point hike in March, so if you’re carrying a variable-rate credit card, now’s the time to get it paid off.”

Financial institutions represented in the survey include Advanta, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, MBNA, National City, Providian, Pulaski Bank, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and more.

About IndexCreditCards.com

IndexCreditCards.com offers credit card news, research, and perhaps the most comprehensive index of credit cards available on the Internet today, with a master listing of over 700 credit cards as well as categorized lists based on interest rates, reward programs, business credit cards, student credit cards and credit cards for those with poor credit histories.

Credit Card Monitor is a weekly survey tracking average credit card rates in multiple card categories. Credit Card Monitor information provided in this release may be reproduced free of charge, provided credit is given to http://www.IndexCreditCards.com.

Contact: Justin McHenry, 216.221.0312, j.mchenry @ indexcreditcards.com

Website: http://www.IndexCreditCards.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.