Interest rates increased on
variable rate cards earlier this year after the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percent.
(Nearly all U.S. credit cards are
variable rate cards, and nearly all of those have rates tied to prime.)
Most U.S. credit cards are
variable rate cards tied to the prime, so an interest rate hike by the Fed would have a big impact.
Most
variable rate cards are expected to rise by the same amount.
The deadline for the changes to take effect is July 1, 2010, although some issuers may roll out revamped statements sooner... (more) Consumers gain right to opt out of credit card rate increases — The first phase of the new Credit CARD Act of 2009 kicked in Aug. 20, lengthening notice requirements and giving consumers the right to opt out of rate increases... (more) Fixed rates shift to variable rates — Seven months in advance of the new rules that would limit an issuer's ability to alter a fixed rate account, credit cardholders are being moved to
variable rate cards... (more) Credit card issuers: Sorry, new law says we can't cut your rates — Credit card issuers turn on its head the reform law that bans sudden rate increases; they say that it also forbids quick rate cuts... (more)
Almost all cards on the market today are
variable rate cards, pegged to the prime rate.
Consumers who carry a credit card balance should be particularly wary going forward, as most
variable rate cards are pegged to the prime rate and many charge rates of 18 percent or more.
For instance,
a variable rate card might offer higher rewards for purchases made in one or two categories, such as gas, groceries, entertainment or dining out, and then all other purchases will earn 1 percent back.
Not exact matches
Because most credit
cards have a
variable rate directly tied to the Fed's benchmark
rate, that quarter - point increase will show up as soon as the next billing cycle, McBride said.
«The cumulative effect of interest
rate hikes is going to begin mounting,» said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst, particularly on
variable -
rate loans such as credit
cards, home equity lines of credit and adjustable -
rate mortgages, which could rise within one to two statement cycles.
Before you sign up for any
card, know the interest
rates and whether they are fixed or
variable, and understand the factors that can allow your credit
card company to change it.
This will have an impact on anyone with a credit product — like a credit
card or loan — with a
variable interest
rate.
Most credit
cards have
variable interest
rates, so when the Fed raises
rates, your credit
card issuer quickly follows suit.
What you will find is that nearly every
card on the market will offer a
variable APR that is based on the Prime
Rate.
Fixed vs.
Variable Regular APR — Fixed is preferred for most people carrying a balance on a credit card since this means your interest rate won't change, but variable rates can be beneficial too as long as you understand the range on which your interest rate c
Variable Regular APR — Fixed is preferred for most people carrying a balance on a credit
card since this means your interest
rate won't change, but
variable rates can be beneficial too as long as you understand the range on which your interest rate c
variable rates can be beneficial too as long as you understand the range on which your interest
rate can vary.
The purchase APR
rate can be as low as a
variable 13.15 %, and the annual fee is $ 25 per
card.
Banks» prime
rates are also tied to
variable rates on products like credit
cards, adjustable -
rate mortgages, or
variable -
rate student loans.
In response to this and other changes, most issuers decided to ditch fixed -
rate cards and make their credit
card interest
rates variable.
Credit
card interest
rates — particularly
variable rates — generally rise and fall along with the prime interest
rate.
Credit
card interest
rates are often
variable and track the prime
rate, which is tied to the federal funds
rate.
Each uptick can directly and indirectly generate
rate increases on consumer debt — especially in
variable -
rate products like credit
cards, home equity lines of credit and private student loans.
Often, the
card will have a «
variable»
rate, which is tied to some other economic «index» such as the prime
rate.
That means credit
cards, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and other
variable -
rate products will get more expensive.
Drawback: The Discover it ® Secured
Card — No Annual Fee has a high interest
rate (24.49 %
Variable).
When the Fed raises its target — tightening monetary policy — our
variable -
rate debts (i.e. credit
cards) get more expensive, but we stand to earn more on our savings.
If you read the fine print of credit
card offers, you'll notice that credit
card companies say their interest
rates are
variable.
That means that if you have
variable -
rate credit
card or private student loan debt, your
rate just went up.
Applicants must good to excellent credit to qualify for this
card that offers 0 % interest on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months which then raises to 13.24 % -23.24 %
variable rate.
Mortgages on property, home equity lending, student loans, car loans and credit
card lending can be offered at
variable, adjustable or fixed interest
rates.
The
card has a $ 0 annual fee, a 23.99 % (
variable) cash advance
rate and annual percentage
rates of either 14.99 %, 17.99 %, 20.99 % or 24.99 %.
After that, a
variable rate between 13.9 % and 24.9 % will kick in... such is the nature of credit
cards.
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Variable@Retained Accessory Power: Retained Accessory Power@Speed Sensitive Volume Control: Yes@Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Yes@Roadside Assistance Coverage@Total Number Of Speakers: 4@Turning Radius: 17.1» @Basic Months: 36 Months@Bumpers: Body-Colored@Cargo Grocery Bag Holder: Yes@External Temp: External Temperature Display@Roadside Months: 36 Months@Tachometer: Tachometer@Torque: 107 Lb.-Ft.@Valve Gear: Dohc@Mp3 Player: Yes@Axle Ratio: 3.75@Upholstery: Premium Cloth@Door Reinforcement: Side - Impact Door Beam@Power Door Locks: Remote Power Door Locks@Type: As@Type: Regular Unleaded@Diameter: 15.0@Engine Configuration: Inline@Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc@Memory
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It works similar to a credit
card, with a
variable interest
rate and a line of credit that you can continually draw from.
Most credit
cards nowadays have
variable interest
rates which fluctuate with market
rates so the interest
rate you're paying today may wind up being lower tomorrow.
After the introductory period, the
card offers a
variable APR, and it's very reasonable — especially if you qualify for the minimum
rate.
This means that if the issuer decides to switch your fixed
rate card to a
variable rate, or change the formula for deciding how your
variable rate is figured, you have to be properly notified.
Variable: In this case, your credit
card interest
rate is determined by a formula that takes into account the changing market.
Drawback: The Discover it ® Secured
Card — No Annual Fee has a high interest
rate (24.49 %
Variable).
A floor is the minimum APR that an issuer will charge for a
variable rate credit
card.
With a
variable -
rate credit
card, the interest
rate is directly correlated to an underlying interest
rate index, moving up or down along with it.
In short, it's the
rate at which financial institutions loan each other money overnight and has a direct impact on those consumers who are carrying credit
card accounts with
variable interest
rates.
Most of the time, the APR that credit
card advertise, and the
rate that is figured as
variable or fixed, is the purchase APR..
Credit
card companies charge a
variable rate, based in part on your credit score.
The Chase Slate Credit
Card begins with an introductory annual percentage
rate (APR) of 0 % lasting for 15 months which increases to a
rate ranging from 13.24 % to 23.24 % (
variable).
Whether or not the
rate is fixed or
variable is indicated on the then - current
Rates and Fees Table accompanying your
card or otherwise provided to you by us.
The
variable Periodic
Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE applicable to your Card will be set forth on the Rate & Fee Disclosure provided with your Card and will be governed by the Periodic Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE terms set forth be
Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE
RATE applicable to your Card will be set forth on the Rate & Fee Disclosure provided with your Card and will be governed by the Periodic Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE terms set forth be
RATE applicable to your
Card will be set forth on the
Rate & Fee Disclosure provided with your Card and will be governed by the Periodic Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE terms set forth be
Rate & Fee Disclosure provided with your
Card and will be governed by the Periodic
Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE terms set forth be
Rate and ANNUAL PERCENTAGE
RATE terms set forth be
RATE terms set forth below.
A
variable -
rate credit
card, however, has an interest
rate that fluctuates with current market
rates.