Credit Cards

• 13.74% (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 July 7, 2010.

For both fixed-rate and variable-rate credit cards, the average APR for purchases remained unchanged this week. The average fixed rate stayed at 13.74 percent after a slight increase last week, and the mean variable rate stood at 14.39 percent for the third consecutive survey.

Regulatory update: Wall Street reform waits on a Senate vote, but new gift card rules and restrictions on credit card penalty fees are a certainty, both going into effect on Aug. 22. New requirements for credit card disclosures took hold July 1.

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.

-- Leslie McFadden