Don’t delay in switching credit cards

14:39 | 25 Feb 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

The recession and unemployment have prompted record numbers to seek help with debt and benefit problems.

Credit cards: the pick of an increasingly bad bunch

10:54 | 17 Feb 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

The average rate for purchases is now an eye watering 19%

Credit card companies cut credit limits

10:29 | 05 Feb 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

Many companies are reducing credit limits for a wide range of customers – but particularly those who don’t use their card very often or seldom spend up to their limit. 

Is your credit card among the few offering rates below 10%?

00:01 | 22 Jan 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

Interest charges have been rising and there are now only a handful of providers with interest rates in single digits.

The best credit cards for balance transfers

12:14 | 14 Jan 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

Paying for Christmas will be painful and 4.5 million Britons are expected to shop around for a 0% balance transfer opportunity on a credit card. 

More than one million use credit cards to pay for mortgages

08:36 | 11 Jan 2010 | By Chris Marshall

While the majority of those people who resorted to using plastic to make mortgage payments were in working class jobs, middle class mortgage holders also used credit cards for payments, according to research from housing charity Shelter.

Used a store card over Christmas? Dump the debt now

00:01 | 06 Jan 2010 | By Lorna Bourke

If you were desperate enough to use a store card to pay for Christmas presents, pay off the debt as soon as possible - even transferring it to a credit card will save you money.

10 tips to avoid credit card fraud

00:01 | 15 Dec 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

How to avoid being a victim of card fraud, plus the best buy credit card on the market for those who are looking to replace their card.

Are we paying off the right debt?

00:01 | 05 Dec 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Consumers are paying off debt at a record rate, but this probably has more to do with banks tightening credit controls than a desire to pay back expensive borrowing.

Credit Card choice shrinking by the day

11:22 | 04 Dec 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

If you are looking to save money on your Christmas credit card spending, the choice is narrowing by the day. 

Credit cards likely to be scarcer next year

00:01 | 29 Nov 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Consumers continue to be squeezed on their credit cards and one in five closures are due to cardholders not meeting their monthly payments.

Now is the time to review your credit card spending

00:01 | 21 Nov 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

With Christmas in the offing and credit card usage likely to increase, it is worth looking at just what you are losing by not paying off your credit card borrowing in full. 

Take action to ensure your credit file is in order

16:09 | 12 Nov 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Tips to make sure your credit limit isn't reduced, plus a look at the best credit card rates around.

Credit card rates to rise as bad debts grow

08:37 | 09 Nov 2009 | By Chris Marshall

Rates are set to increase, while annual fees will become common.

Charity credit cards can pay off

00:01 | 08 Nov 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

But there are ways of signing up for the cards that will increase the amount the charity receives.

Credit card crackdown should make you choose carefully

00:01 | 29 Oct 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Consumers should look out for the few cards – most notably Nationwide’s – where monthly payments are used to reduce the most expensive borrowing first.

How the banks ripped me off - and how you should avoid it

00:01 | 28 Oct 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Take an interest in your finances or you could get stung, writes Lorna Bourke.

Government crackdown on credit card terms

08:46 | 27 Oct 2009 | By Chris Marshall

Proposals include a ban on all interest rate changes on existing credit card debts.

Don’t let credit cards add 10% to the cost of Christmas

14:55 | 21 Oct 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Lorna Bourke looks at the best credit cards on offer.

Ratewatch (1) - Mortgages, credit cards and personal loans

12:01 | 15 Oct 2009 | By Lorna Bourke

Competition in the mortgage market is hotting up, while Saga introduces a low interest credit card for the over-50s.