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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 Credit card interest rates spike When President Obama signed legislation that restricts many credit card company practices that consumer groups have long complained about, bank executives said it would force them to raise interest rates across the board. That might be happening. According to IndexCreditCards.com, which tracks the industry, credit card rates hit an 18-month high in July. The Web site’s review of rates offered by issuers including American Express, Bank of America, Chase and Citibank found that the average rate on consumer cards was 14.94 percent, more than a full point higher than in March. The Web site also notes that the average rate for consumer cards with rewards programs was 15.32 percent, compared with 14.04 percent for non-rewards cards. The Washington Post READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out Reward yourself Pay cash and enjoy watching the big banks go down in flames. Rich Kruml | Aug 1, 2009 8:12 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

1. Early morning gunfire wounds 2 in Everett 2. Father guilty of manslaughter in girl's death 3. ZZ Top fans get Everett buzzing 4. Crash devastating for toddler 5. Snohomish County budget passes, with a caveat 6. Fall 2009 Wesco All-League Teams 7. Laundry fire sparks concerns over smoke detectors 8. Two people injured in Highway 9 collision 9. Northrop: Boeing's 767 ‘no longer commercially viable' 10. Lynnwood police seek hit-and-run driver 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

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