Credit Cards

• 13.74% (all fixed)
• 14.3% (all variable)

Here's a look at the state of credit card rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted Aug. 18, 2010.

The average purchase APR for variable-rate credit cards slipped 2 basis points to 14.3 percent while the average fixed rate held at 13.74 percent. One variable-rate card had lower margins this week for the purchase APR, and another variable-rate card was dropped as an offer to new customers.

New rules that take effect Aug. 22, 2010, as part of the Credit CARD Act of 2009 will limit penalty fees on credit cards, require issuers to review rate increases every six months, ban inactivity fees and give consumers more time to use gift cards before they expire or incur fees.

Bankrate.com makes it easier to find low-rate credit cards and credit cards with rewards. You can search by issuer, card type or credit score.