Thursday, April 30, 2009

Bills, Fed rules on credit cards

A comparison of House and Senate legislative proposals with pending Federal Reserve regulations:

_HOUSE BILL:

Takes effect a year after enactment, except for requirement of notice before interest rates are increased, which goes into effect in 90 days. The bill:

_ Prohibits double-cycle billing and "retroactive" interest rate hikes on previous balances.

_ Requires that customers receive 45 days notice before their interest rates are increased.

_ Bans the issuance of credit cards to anyone under 18. Sets underwriting standards for credit cards for college students, including limiting credit lines if there is no co-signer, and requiring proof of income and credit history.

_ Bans "pay-to-pay" fees, which are charged when someone pays their bill by phone or on the Internet.

_ Allows individuals to set a credit limit for themselves that cannot be exceeded. If a bank approves a purchase that pushes the consumer above their limit, the bank cannot charge a fee.

_SENATE BILL:

Takes effect nine months after enactment.

_Bans double-cycle billing and retroactive rate increases.

_Requires that customers receive 45 days notice before rates are increased.

_Bans the issuance of credit cards to people under 21 unless they show they can repay the debt or complete a certified financial literacy course.

_Bans "pay-to-pay" fees.

_Restricts over-the-limit fees to one each billing cycle.

_Prevents card issuers from changing any terms of a contract so long as the card holder pays on time.

_FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS:

Take effect in July 2010.

_ Require banks to give customers a reasonable time, such as 21 days, to pay their bill before it is considered late.

_ Require banks to give customers 45 days notice before raising interest rates on new purchases, even if the customer is late or delinquent in paying their account.

_ Prohibit, in most cases, retroactive rate increases.

_ Prohibit double-cycle billing.

_ Limit excessive fees charged on subprime credit cards, which are marketed to people with bad credit.

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