Credit card rates: interactive graphic on APR changes

Interest rates no longer track the prime rate

By Tyler Metzger

Credit card rates used to closely track the prime rate, but they don't any more. Card issuers, for a variety of reasons, hang on to more of the spread between the rate they pay for funds and the rates they charge. It's one of many ways card issuers have raised costs for consumers.

See related: Credit card terms change -- and for consumers, not for the better

Updated: April 1, 2009

	Three most recent Research, statistics stories: Credit card APRs fall sharply, but you shouldn't get too excited – Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers fell sharply this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but don't expect your APR to drop, too ... Credit card rates' ascent shows no sign of slowing – It just keeps getting more and more expensive to be a credit cardholder -- and analysts say there's little change in sight ... Banks continue to tighten credit card lending standards – When it comes to tightening lending, the Fed survey of senior loan officers shows credit card issuers have gone from death grip to light squeeze ...

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