Ripples from the collapse of subprime lending are spreading beyond the mortgage business

Planning to remodel your kitchen? Better arrange for financing before you hire a contractor. And while you’re at it, pay close attention to your credit card bills. Your interest rate may be going up. Ripples from the collapse of subprime lending are spreading beyond the mortgage business, raising costs for everything from home-equity lines of [...]

Barclays Is Latest Issuer Of Contactless Credit Cards In U.S.

The U.S credit card arm of large UK-based bank Barclays PLC has announced it is issuing a cobranded contactless card with a membership-based wholesale-store chain as partner. Barclays and Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club announced this week they have launched a cobranded card that combines a Visa-branded credit card with BJ’s membership card. The card also [...]

When used wisely, credit cards can be our friends

A lot of consumer advocates treat credit cards as if they’re dirty, vile things. When you’re in a financial pinch, it’s good to have a quick, easy way out. But even when the situation isn’t dire, credit cards can be used to your benefit. As someone who’s had rocky as well as stable relationships with [...]

Financial tips for credit card-smart college freshmen

For incoming freshmen, college means one thing: freedom. It also is usually a person’s first experience with credit cards. According to a 2006 study by Student Monitor, a publisher of nationally syndicated market research of college students, nearly two-thirds of college undergraduates acquire their first credit card before age 19. Eighty-seven percent of those are [...]

AP&T WARNS CUSTOMERS BEWARE OF CREDIT CARD SCAM

Alameda Power & Telecom is warning customers to beware of callers demanding immediate payment on any electric, cable television, or Internet bills. The utility reports that customers throughout Alameda have received calls from a party representing themselves as being from the “Billing Department.” The caller states that a recent bill has not been paid in [...]