Card Commentary for Consumers
Plastic Christmas
 It's true Americans will use their credit and debit cards a record number of times this holiday season. But this will be a "plastic Christmas" in another way. This year, as never before, there is a shower of plastic gift cards available. (Dec 99)
Freezing Fee Frenzy
A new fangled way to protect your credit for a monthly fee. . . . One card or Two? What is best for your business? . . . . American Express is all black and blue . . . . The good, bad and ugly of Internet credit cards . . . . Citibank's card goes 100% virtual . . . . and The smart money this year is in digital wallets. (Nov 99)
Profit Squeeze
 Since the beginning of this decade the amount consumers owe on bank credit cards has grown a staggering 163%, while profits have grown less than half as much. Last year profits on VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express dropped by $100 million compared to 1997. (Oct 99)
The Heat is On
 American credit cardholders have put the nation's #2 credit card issuer on the run. Bank One's First USA credit card unit revealed this month that it will not grow as fast, and will not produce as much profit as anticipated for the rest of this year. (Sep 99)

The Shakeout Ends
 It looks like the financial strain between cardholders and card issuers is ending. Losses are slowing and profits are growing. Over the past four years card issuers have struggled with persistent high charge-off levels, high delinquencies and increased consumer bankruptcy filings. (Aug 99)
Fee Frenzy
 CardTrak celebrates its 100th issue with two new features; World Fee income is growing faster than interest income for credit card issuers; Providian admits a mistake; Elvis Returns and the Sears Card gets an upgrade (Jul 99)

Stumbling
 Two major credit card issuers face lawsuits, Austin Powers gets a credit card, and tips on what payment method to use overseas. Two major issuers got tangled up in litigation over their credit card practices this month. (Jun 99)
CardTrak's 100th Issue
 CardTrak celebrates its 100th issue with two new features; World MasterCard picks up steam and the Dilbert VISA is not far behind. And there are lots of ways to pick up extra points this summer.(May 99)

Credit Education Month
 Take a minute this month to familiarize yourself with credit resources; VISA and MasterCard are making inroads in the business card marketplace is heating up; and online lending is set to take off and priceline.com and NextCard offer online buying incentives. (Apr 99)

Uncle Sam's Free Ride
 Thinking about charging your income taxes to a credit card? Wait till you read how sweet it can be! Air Miles on a Debit Card? You Bet! BestBank VISA dies and how about designing your own VISA. (Mar 99)

One World, One Card
 Not long ago VISA promoted itself as "One World, VISA". VISA envisioned itself as the dominate payment system in the world, a system transcending all brands and transparent to all currencies. (Feb 99)

The Countdown
 As the Information Age collides with the New Millennium it might be a good idea to get your financial house in order. A good starting point is to retrieve a copy of your personal credit history stored on the computer disk farms of the three major credit bureaus. (Jan 99)

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