Although Americans’ average credit scores recently dropped for the first time in a decade, many appear to be maintaining a relatively healthy score. The average credit score dipped by one point, from 718 to 717, according to FICO’s March 6 blog post. Your FICO and VantageScore credit score can fall anywhere between 300 and 850, … Read more
Consumers have been increasingly relying on credit cards to make ends meet, and it may be finally catching up with them. The national average credit score, which has steadily increased over the last decade, fell to 717 from a high of 718 in the beginning of 2023, according to a report from FICO, developer of one of the … Read more
The days of double digit late fees for late credit card payments may be coming to an end. On Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule that will cap credit card late fees at $8. Currently, card users are typically hit with a $32 fee for late payments, according to the agency. The … Read more
Runstudio | The Image Bank | Getty Images Credit card interest rates have ballooned to record highs in recent years â and the growing portion of the formula that generates profit for card issuers is partly to blame, according to a new analysis by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The average consumer paid a 22.8% … Read more
Total credit card debt in the U.S. has reached a record high â but people are putting less money toward paying it down. Americans collectively hold $1.13 trillion in credit card debt as of the end of December, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Household Debt and Credit Report. On an … Read more
Olga Rolenko | Moment | Getty Images The nation’s largest credit card companies typically charge higher interest rates than small banks and credit unions â and switching may save the average cardholder hundreds of dollars a year, according to an analysis issued Friday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. However, some consumers, depending on their … Read more
Credit cards are an Achilles’ heel for many people. Collectively, Americans now owe $1.13 trillion on their cards, and the average balance per consumer is up to $6,360, both historic highs. Not only are more cardholders carrying debt from month to month but more are increasingly falling behind on payments, recent reports show. “Even though dealing with $1 … Read more
Brand X Pictures | Stockbyte | Getty Images When faced with an unexpected $1,000 expense, more than one-third of Americans would borrow the money, according to a new Bankrate survey. That may include tapping their credit cards, seeking money from friends or family or taking out a personal loan. Most would not turn to cash … Read more
Americans are increasingly leaning on their credit cards. Altogether, card balances now total $1.08 trillion, according to the latest quarterly report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a new record. “Over the past two years, Americans’ credit card balances have skyrocketed 40%,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. “While Americans are managing … Read more
Young woman counting money. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc As the calendar turns to a new year, many Americans are vowing to change their money habits. To that point, 48% of investors recently surveyed by Allianz Life Insurance Company say they are more likely to make and keep a financial resolution in 2024 to either save … Read more
