Citigroup Inc. lost $1.44 billion during the third quarter from credit card debt it packaged and sold as bonds, the financial services giant reported in a recent regulatory filing (more…)

Popularity: 4% [?]

The credit crisis and shaky economy are forcing us to change our spending habits. As credit card companies roll back card limits and the majority of us keep watching our wallets, we’re moving away from the days when we just kept racking up more and more credit card debt, charging anything we wanted but didn’t have money for — stainless steel appliances, high-definition plasma TVs, new wardrobes, four-star vacations — and going back to actually saving up for our purchases and sticking to things we can afford.

Now, with Christmas just two months away and most of staring at limited holiday budgets, some retailers are offering us a budget-friendly, no-debt alternative to credit cards for our holiday shopping. (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

A CreditCards.com poll has found that eight out of 10 Americans are reluctant to talk openly about their level of credit card debt with someone they just met (“Poll: Credit Card Debt the New Taboo Topic,” July 8, 2008). More surveyed adults are uncomfortable with the idea of discussing their credit card debt than any other topic, including their love life, salary, religious views, (more…)

Popularity: 100% [?]

A new report, issued by the research firm Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, predicts that as the fallout from the credit crunch continues, consumers will be increasingly likely to default on their credit cards, forcing banks to write off nearly $100 billion in credit card debt over the next year (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

A recent monthly performance report issued by discount mega-retailer Target is showing that, in the ongoing economic downturn, more of the company’s customers have stopped making the monthly payments on their Target-branded credit cards. Not just that, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but those customers who are making payments are paying smaller amounts (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

As a growing number of cash-strapped consumers fall behind on their monthly credit card payments, credit card issuers are abruptly lowering credit limits on many customers’ cards, in some cases by more than 50 percent.

The consumers currently most at risk of getting their credit limits cut, reports The New York Times, are those who (more…)

Popularity: 15% [?]

In the midst of a global financial and solvency crisis that’s left U.S. banks largely unwilling to extend loans or credit to many individuals, small businesses, or even other banks, 62 percent of credit card companies are reducing their customers’ credit card limits, often suddenly and without notice, (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]