Here's a look at the state of credit card rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted Feb. 10, 2010.
Credit Cards
Rates: 13.39 percent (all fixed); 13.63 percent (all variable)The average fixed rate on purchases for all credit cards moved 99 basis points to 13.39 percent, while the average variable rate kept to 13.63 percent. Several cards were dropped from the survey. First PREMIER Bank is no longer offering two fixed-rate cards because the fees exceeded the level allowed by the new credit card law. GTE Federal Credit Union also dumped its gold and classic fixed-rate cards.
On Feb. 22, rate hike restrictions and other protections in the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act go into effect, but many consumers have already seen their interest rates raised, fees increased or accounts closed. More than 43 percent of consumers in a January 2010 survey from Credit.com reported at least one negative change to an existing credit card account, compared to 34 percent in the June 2009 survey. Around 27 percent reported a rate hike, 11 percent an account closure, 13 percent a credit limit reduction, and 19 percent an increase in fees.
You can find your best credit card deal -- by type -- at Bankrate's interactive tool.
See all credit card rates content.
-- Leslie McFadden