Credit Cards

• 13.04% (all fixed)
• 14.39% (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 Dec. 29, 2010.

Average purchase APRs on both fixed and variable-rate credit card offers remain unchanged from last week. The mean fixed rate stands at 13.04 percent and the average variable rate is 14.39 percent.

The volume of credit card offers has increased dramatically this quarter compared to a year ago, according to a recent news release from Mintel Comperemedia, a service that provides direct marketing competitive intelligence. The firm reported that U.S. consumers received 1.2 billion solicitations for new credit cards in the third quarter of 2010, up from 391 million during the same period last year. Many credit card offers, eight in 10, promoted cards with rewards, such as cash back, points or miles. Cash was king, with cash-back offers comprising 41 percent of all rewards solicitations in the third quarter of 2010.

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