1993 COMMENTARY
Fruits & Vegetables
- Review of forthcoming Discover/NationsBank Prime Option MasterCard. Discussion of why the Discover card is the best example of a bad deal for consumers. Key Federal slashes rates on its secured program. Airline cobranded programs announce mileage limitations. (Dec 93)
Low Octane Card Pings
- Critique of the Chemical Bank/Shell Oil MasterCard and discussion of the future of cobranded cards. General Motors MasterCard goes international. AFBA refines pricing. Single digit interest rate offers from Prudential Bank, Harris Bank & Trust, CoreStates Bank. NCFE releases consumer credit repair handbook. (Nov 93)
How Low Low Low Low Can You Go?
- Wachovia announces major rate adjustment to 6.0%. Teaser rate expose on Unocal/Associates card. Central Carolina and Citibank also announce rock bottom pricing program. VISA launches debit education program through Call For Action. MasterCard releases consumer debit card quiz. RAM Research releases free pamphlet on card usage for the holidays. (Oct 93)
Sorting the Mail
- review of latest mail solicitations and marketing gimmicks. Offers consumer tips on how to identify a real deal. Rate war erupts among micro issuers. Connecticut rate war. Key Federal Savings offers free consumer booklet on secured cards. (Sep 93)
Bestest Cards
- Review of the very best, nationally available cards including AFBA and Oak Brook Bank. Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street Club MasterCard. General Motors MasterCard update. American Express Optima rebate program. Airline rebate cards. Mid-year industry growth statistics. (Aug 93)
Charge It or Deb It
- Debit cards explode mid year. Debit card brand primer. Review of advantages and disadvantages to consumers of debit cards. Summer traveling tips for card users. (Jul 93)
Stripped-Down or Jazzed-Up
- Marketing war boils down to two strategies: rate or value. Review of latest round of competition: Louis Rukeyser's no-fee Gold MasterCard, Boatmen's Bank revised pricing, First Deposit's new no-fee cards, Bank of Canton's drops fixed rate, Wells Fargo's new California Advantage program, US Bank/US West team up for new cobranded calling car, Key Federal modifies secured card program. Washington, DC firm rips-off consumers with application selling scheme. MasterCard's credit quiz and VISA's Cathy booklet update. (Jun 93)
National Credit Education Week 1993
- Interest rates hit new low as the distribution of credit card rates (by accounts and outstandings) is greatly altered during 1992. Based on a RAM Research/U.S. General Accounting Office study. American Express and Discover lose customers for various reasons. Debit cards take off. Tips on locating a better credit card. Consumer Resource Directory. (Apr/May 93)
A Not-So Better Idea
- A review of the new Ford Motor/Citibank VISA/MasterCard. GE Rewards MasterCard modifies pricing and drops annual fee. Bank of New York adds grace period and new versions of its Consumer Edge program. Union Planters rolls our secured card. First Performance Bank launches no fee, low rate card. (Mar 93)
Securing a Good Deal
- An update on the growing secured card market. General Motors and Household Bank announce Gold MasterCard program, new partners and the end of two-cycle billing. Citibank announces 9.9% balance transfer program. Discover lowers interest rates. (Feb 93)
Five Years' War
- A look at the credit card industry wars between 1988 and 1992. Review of the NationsBank START program. Sears' Prime Option VISA delayed by judge. Labor Union credit card programs. (Jan 93)
Past Commentaries
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