The terms of this agreement may be changed at any time for seemingly any reason. That’s usually the mantra of credit card companies, but it’s now being drowned out by the sound of drums beating in Congress, which is awash in consumer complaints about sudden interest-rate hikes, hard-to-understand fine print, indebted college students, and more, according to The New York Times.

And, because of the recession, banks and credit card companies are finding it nearly impossible to lobby against a proposed overhaul of the rules regulating their practices.

Though a Senate bill doesn’t cap interest rates, it would ban companies from raising them unless a cardholder is 60 days late and would requIre the original interest rate to be restored after six months of on-time payments. Consumers would also get advance notice of rate hikes. Even gift cards would have to be good for five years.

Colorado Senator Mark Udall, a Democrat, is helping lead the charge, according to the Denver Daily News, calling this a “classic story of David vs. Goliath.” National Review and SquareState provide interesting background about the nation’s credit card quagmire and Udall’s involvement in trying to regulate the companies.

Meanwhile, Udall and Colorado’s other Democratic senator, Michael Bennet, are also backing a rider in the credit card bill that would allow guns in national parks, according to The Colorado Independent.

Posted 5/13/2009 at 10:45 am by Michael de Yoanna
Business, Money, Panorama, Politics :: Permalink :: Comments

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