How credit card reform will impact you

It's becoming clear the new law will have pluses and minuses for consumers. While the most "unfair or deceptive" practices are banned, credit card issuers have been quick to create new ways to maintain their profits.

5 smart moves to make before the new credit card law takes effect -- For some, swift action is called for to lock in a deal before the law's provisions kick in Feb. 22. For others, the best move is to wait ... (more )

Feds plug loophole that prevented credit card rates from falling --  The Federal Reserve fixed a problem in the wording of the Credit CARD Act that would have made consumers wait 45 days if they wanted reduced interest rates ... (more )

Poll: On eve of credit card reform, few understand what new law holds --  Significant numbers of consumers are unaware of the most important elements of the new package of credit card rules. Worse, many have erroneous assumptions about what the new rules do address ... (more )

What the new credit card rules mean for you -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 phases in, with the majority of consumer protections kicking in Feb. 22, 2010. Here's how its provisions will affect you ... (more )

Will the new credit card law hurt more consumers than it helps? -- Card issuers say the new law will hurt consumers; consumer advocates say the card issuers are bluffing ... (more)

How to cope until the new credit card rules take effect-- Consumer advocates say cardholders should wean themselves off of credit cards, pay down debt and pay on time during this period before new protections kick in ... (more)

Interactive: How your monthly credit card statement will look in 2010 -- Federal regulators have asked credit card issuers to make monthly statements sent to millions of credit card users easier to understand. The deadline for the changes to take effect is July 1, 2010, although some issuers may roll out revamped statements sooner ... (more)

Consumers gain right to opt out of credit card rate increases -- The first phase of the new Credit CARD Act of 2009 kicked in Aug. 20, lengthening notice requirements and giving consumers the right to opt out of rate increases ... (more)

Fixed rates shift to variable rates -- Seven months in advance of the new rules that would limit an issuer's ability to alter a fixed rate account, credit cardholders are being moved to variable rate cards ... (more)

Credit card issuers: Sorry, new law says we can't cut your rates-- Credit card issuers turn on its head the reform law that bans sudden rate increases; they say that it also forbids quick rate cuts ... (more)

Annual fees return in credit card mail offers -- Once nearly extinct for people with good credit, card offers with annual fees are rebounding, research firm Synovate says ... (more)

Creative new fees escape CARD Act rules, surprise consumers -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 puts the lid on some longtime charges levied against cardholders, but a report shows that a new crop of fees are quietly taking their place ... (more)

Instant in-store credit card offers in jeopardy -- Retailers say instant credit card offers won't be possible if consumers have to provide paycheck stubs or other income information at the cash register, as required by the new rule ... (more)

New law bans payment allocation trickery -- If you use your credit cards for balance transfers or cash advances in addition to making purchases, your credit card payments will be applied to the higher interest balances first  ... (more)

New credit card rules don't cover business, corporate credit cards --  New credit card rules approved by federal regulators in December 2008 give greater protections to consumers and families with credit cards -- but not to corporate or small business cardholders ... (more )

Credit card reform law quirk: 45 day's notice becomes 14 -- Yes, the new credit card reform law requires 45 days' notice of rate hikes, but if you use the card after 14 days, the new rate applies ... (more)

4 ways to fight minimum monthly payment increases -- Thousands of credit card customers were surprised by news that their credit card minimum payments will more than double. Find out what your options are ... (more)

Co-signed credit cards: Unloved option poised for comeback? -- Experts say they're a headache, issuers rarely offer it, yet the co-signed credit card may be making a comeback as a more-regulated industry searches for lost profits ... (more)

4 questions to ask before you co-sign on a credit card -- Explore alternatives and find out what you're in for with these questions for anyone who asks you to be a co-signer on a credit car or other loan ... (more)

Issuer of 79.9 percent interest rate credit card defends its product -- Subprime credit card marketers are looking for ways around new restrictions on sky-high fees for bad credit cards. One option they're testing: sky-high interest rates ... (more)

Discover debuts reform-law compliant credit card terms -- Discover is the first of the major credit card issuers to give cardholders details of new terms under credit card law provisions ... (more)