Posted by Peter Brady on Fri 22nd December 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Credit News
It seems that our thirst for credit stretches right across the western world with evidence suggesting that Australians “will give their credit cards a workout this Christmas totting up more than $17 billion in the shops”.
According to research group Cannex “the sheer scale of spending means that the country’s 13.1 million plus credit cards will swipe about $1,300 each.”
Gee sport! that’s a ripper of a Christmas!
Other figures suggest that this will be on top of existing credit debts of $37 billion or $2,820 per card.
(Via Sydney Morning Herald)
Posted by Peter Brady on Thu 21st December 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in US Credit Cards
American Express has a Kudos that few credit providers can match. It seems that they continue to produce rich featured products that have genuine sex appeal. However, there is some debate as to whether they remain competitive?
This question does gain some traction with the American Express Preferred Green Credit Card. Does it compare well with other offers on the market? I have my doubts.
Check out the base features for yourself:
Read more...
This is a beautiful looking card. Yes it’s the ubiquitous stars and stripes but the ripple makes this design really come alive.
The features aren’t bad either:
Read more...
Posted by Peter Brady on Tue 19th December 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Credit News
Interesting story from KSLA News12 which poses some worrying concerns:
“We sent KSLA News12 producer Lori Burrell on a shopping trip to randomly selected stores across the area. We sent her with an American Express card not in her name, but in reporter Sara Gouedy’s name. Our cameras caught Lori ringing up the card, with no questions about her identification from store employees. In one case, Lori was even asked for identification, but allowed to make a purchase when she said the card she was using was her sisters. In fact, in the process of about 15 minutes, she was able to charge about 50 dollars to a card not in her name.”
Full story at KSLA News12.
Posted by Peter Brady on Mon 18th December 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Credit News
First Data eyes AIB’s credit cards
First Data is discussing the possibility of taking over Allied Irish Banks lucrative credit card processing operations. First Data is part of Western Union and AIB is considered to be Ireland’s biggest credit card provider.
Formal approaches are thought to have been made with a filled out proposal due over the next couple of months.
According to Times Online “The bank would stand to make substantial savings from outsourcing the credit card operations which insiders say is highly capital intensive. The potential savings could run into “tens of millions” per annum, according to industry sources.”
