Lainey

Did you get a recent credit card bill?

They now tell you how long it will take to pay off your bill if you a. only pay minimum, and b. not charge anything else.

Wonder if that info will really sink in to those who carry large balances. And how about those new rates?

Cubby do Credit Unions offer better rates on Visa cards?

Bass

my rate went up 2% and then they said after 3 months it will drop a point

i like how they blame the new laws

Lainey

2%? Try 6% I had what they told me was fixed at 9.9%, I've had that rate for a long time. Now I'm 15.9%. Never late, never go over limit, been their customer for years. Capital One is in my wallet but not for long.

I rarely carry a balance, but I'll be shopping around for a better rate. Right now if I wanted/needed to finance something for a couple of months our home equity line is the way to go, 2.75%.

Oh and keep an eye on your "free" checking account. The "Free" will soon have more strings/fees attached.

Bass

guess they need another bail out from their customers

and record profits to boot

my free checking from the local co-op is awesome and it's FREE

Lainey

Some banks are charging $9.50/month unless you keep $1500.00 in there, others will be charging fees for using ATM's other than theirs, and others now will be charging if you use too many paper checks in a month.

Not sure what my bank has up their sleeve.

zzziippyyy

Fleece

jukngene

As the +1 of a CEO of a Credit Union (til she had her stroke), I can state unequivocally that Credit Unions are the only way to go! They are non-profit, and exist for the benefit of their members (of which you are one when you join a credit union), not some un-named fat-cat stockholders.

Lainey

I've got a CD in one credit union, and a small account at another...I'm going to give them a call tomorrow to ask about credit cards.

Chazmo

Gene, I've been pretty happy with DCU which is a federal CU, but there have been things going on in the last couple of years that smack of trying to screw us for fees...

On the other hand, compared to standard banks, I still have to agree with you. At least currently.

Lainey, I hear you. I am suspicious too.

And, as for credit cards, it's really unpleasant to carry any balance on them, and maybe it's getting worse. I hate these companies worst of all; they are *definitely* out to shaft you and they make no bones about it. Folks who end up carrying lots of credit card debt are in serious trouble and I feel for them. Make sure to set yourself up with either a cash cushion or a credit line -- you don't want to borrow money from those thieves; you want to borrow any other way you can.

Cubs2k

CU FTW.

Lainey...it is possible...just depends.