Here's a look at the state of credit card rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted Dec. 2, 2009.
Credit Cards
Rates: 13.46 percent (standard fixed); 11.48 percent (standard variable)Average interest rates on credit cards haven't moved in weeks. The average fixed rate for all cards -- standard, gold and platinum -- remained at 12.31 and the average variable hangs on at 11.68.
Standard cards are also idling, with the average fixed rate at 13.46 percent and the variable at 11.48 percent.
Regardless of the lack of movement in credit card interest rates, Americans continue to put their cards away. Credit card spending is down for the holidays, according to a November survey by BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation. Only 28.3 percent of shoppers said they'll be using credit cards to pay for gifts, down from 31.5 percent last year.
Debit card use is still on the rise, as 42.5 percent of shoppers said they'll use a debit card. A quarter (24.9 percent) of shoppers will use cash, and just 4 percent said they'll use a check.
This survey is in line with the Federal Reserve's monthly look at consumer credit, where outstanding debt on revolving credit lines, such as credit cards, has declined every month since the fourth quarter of 2008.
You can find your best credit card deal -- by type -- at Bankrate's interactive tool.
See all credit card rates content.
-- Ellen Cannon