Here's a look at the state of credit card rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted March 24, 2010.
Credit Cards
Rates: 13.7 percent (all fixed); 13.9 percent (all variable)
The mean fixed rate for purchases on credit cards increased to 13.7 percent from 13.42 percent last week, while the average variable rate dropped 9 basis points to 13.9 percent. Three cards changed from having a fixed rate to a variable rate and one fixed rate card had a higher APR this week because the issuer switched from a stated APR to a range of rates, and Bankrate.com used the average. Two variable-rate cards were added to the survey.
Nine more cards in our survey no longer charge overlimit fees.
Most of the provisions in the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 took effect in February, but new disclosure requirements for "free credit report" advertising will kick in April 2.
The Federal Trade Commission issued a rule to help consumers distinguish "free" reports that are part of fee-based products from the free credit reports available under federal law. Among other changes, the new rule mandates that Web sites advertising free credit reports inform people of their right to obtain a free credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only authorized source under federal law, through a disclosure at the top of each Web page.
Consumers will no longer see any advertisements for other products on AnnualCreditReport.com until after they have obtained their free credit reports through the Web site.
You can find your best credit card deal -- by type -- at Bankrate's interactive tool.
See all credit card rates content.
-- Leslie McFadden