By Amy Turner on 21-01-2012
A short guide to some of the main issues around the government’s plan to ban all excessive surcharges on debit and credit card transactions. 560 315 TelegraphPlayer_8974974
By Andy Bloxham
10:14AM GMT 23 Dec 2011
What’s the problem?
Consumers increasingly face high fees – known as surcharges – when purchasing goods and services when paying by credit and debit cards.
Low-cost airlines are among the worst offenders, with some charging a fee per passenger, per leg of the journey, despite the fact that they only have to process one transaction.
What’s changing?
By Jeffrey Campbell on 18-01-2012
Most stock investors make one common mistake, which is buying yesterday’s winners. If a company is facing an unfavorable change due to the competitive dynamics, then paying a full price for such a company would be a money-losing proposition. So, it is important to always stay ahead of these changes in the dynamics of the industry. There seems to be one such change, which could have a negative impact and affect some of the major networks such as American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.
Payments are facilitated by card networks either by connecting cardholders as well as merchants directly or via financial institutions. The entire open-loop structure normally consists of the card issuing authority such as a bank, networks, and the merchants. The issuer will issue cards to their customers with the particular network visible on the card. M
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By Brandon Morris on 15-01-2012
Last year, colleges in California, alumni groups, and university foundations made around $6.6 million in royalties, from the agreements they made with the card issuers. Over 3,000 new accounts were opened, as per the Federal Reserve Board report in July.
Under this agreement, banks could get exclusive access to market credit cards to the alumni groups as well as university students. Royalties are paid to universities and related organizations depending on the number of new credit card accounts that are opened.
There has been a decline in revenue from all these branded credit cards over the last year, according to the annual report. However, consumer advocates have stated that the decline was partly due to the CARD Act of 2009.
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By Amy Turner on 15-01-2012
With banks across the country tightening their credit policies, sole proprietors and small business owners have increasingly turned towards traditional unsecured credit cards, to support their businesses financially. Credit cards provide business owners with added cash flow and increased flexibility when purchasing goods or services.
Informed consumers should research the market thoroughly before making a credit decision and use credit card finder tool such as the one on this page.
Slick marketing pieces are stuffed in thick envelopes, coming from banks heretofore unseen and unheard of. E-mail boxes are crammed full each morning with all manners of credit offers. Sifting through these offers is a potential nightmare.
Do I need a business credit card?
Few business people could survive without credit, and securing purchases with a credit card is still the most popular and convenient way to do business in the United States today.
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By Amy Turner on 06-01-2012
Loyal customers of American Express have, on occasion, found that their accounts in good standing have suddenly been suspended. Only later have they learned that they are the subject of American Express’s financial review process. In order to have their accounts reinstated and to receive any pending rewards, it is imperative that cardholders succeed in satisfying American Express.
The first step to passing an American Express Financial Review is to take the procedure seriously. In some cases, cardholders are initially informed of this process by a poor quality call from an overseas representative. That person claims to be from American Express and asks cardholders to verify personal information. Understandably, cardholders are reluctant to divulge this information to unverified individuals. Nevertheless, cardholders should hang up, and call the number on the back of their card. W
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