Credit Cards
Rates: 13.46 percent (standard fixed); 11.16 percent (standard variable)The average interest for variable-rate cards edged higher this week to 11.22 percent, while the mean fixed rate stayed flat at 12.38 percent. Rates on standard cards held at 13.46 percent for fixed-rate cards and at 11.16 percent for variable-rate cards.
Two provisions of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act take effect tomorrow. Consumers must be notified 45 days in advance of increases to their rates, fees or finance charges. No advance notification is required if the increase is due to a 60-day late payment, promotional rate expiration, a variable-indexed interest rate, or failure or completion of a hardship agreement. Bills must also be mailed 21 days in advance of the due date, up from the current requirement of 14 days.
You can find your best credit card deal -- by type -- at Bankrate's interactive tool.
-- Leslie McFadden