Capital Briefs: Card Issuers Ask for Relief on Bankruptcy

Credit card issuers urged a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Friday to make it tougher for consumers to eliminate their debts through bankruptcy.

Donald Banks, director of legal services for the credit division of Dayton Hudson Corp., said bankruptcy trustees should analyze a consumer's income and expenses to determine whether they should file Chapter 13 to repay some debts or Chapter 7 to abolish their debts.

"There is a need for swift congressional action," he said. "Without such a system, unnecessary losses will continue to be shared by all of society."

Subcommittee Chairman Charles E. Grassley warned lenders that they are just as responsible for last year's record 1.1 million bankruptcy filings as consumers. "Too many debtors are getting out of paying their debts," the Iowa Republican said. "But too many creditors have helped to create these enormous debts."

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