Credit Cards

• 13.76% (all fixed)
• 14.54% (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 Nov. 17, 2010.

The average purchase APR for fixed-rate credit cards stayed at 13.76 percent for the seventh consecutive week, while the average variable rate inched 1 basis point higher to 14.54 percent.

In a sign that consumer credit risk in the U.S. is improving, TransUnion reported this week that its proprietary Credit Risk Index, which measures changes in average consumer credit risk within a given region compared to the nation as a whole, decreased for the third consecutive quarter. Meanwhile, demand for credit made a quarterly increase of 6.5 percent. The average credit score in America actually declined for the second consecutive quarter.

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.