Analytics

A key U.S. banking regulator, concerned about the risk of exposure the government is taking on in the mortgage market, urged more stringent standards for underwriting mortgages.

The Federal Trade Commission stopped an operation involving individuals and companies that allegedly deceived consumers into paying for bogus credit cards, and then charged them illegal fees.

Card issuers within the past two years dramatically reduced consumers’ borrowing capacity to reduce the risk of losses during the recession. But new data suggest the bulk of the credit-line cuts came from closing inactive card accounts, not slashing active borrowers’ credit lines, Moody’s Investors Service noted in a report last week.

U.S. consumers’ average credit card debt fell during the first eight months of this year, while the average credit score also inched down from the start of the year, according to new data Credit Karma released Sept. 13.

Card issuers within the past two years dramatically reduced consumers’ borrowing capacity to reduce the risk of losses during the recession, but new data suggest the bulk of the credit-line cuts came from closing inactive card accounts, not slashing active borrowers’ credit lines, Moody’s Investors Service notes in a Sept. 9 report.

Consumers have mixed feelings on differential pricing for cash and card purchases, and their views similarly are mixed on whether merchants might reduce product prices if caps are set on interchange rates, new research suggests.

Issuers are tightening their credit criteria, according to Fair Isaac Corp.

FICO, a provider of analytics and decision management technology, reports that a new survey found strong evidence of a credit gap for consumers as lenders expect credit availability to fall short of consumer demand through the end of 2010.

More banks should consider combining their debit and credit card rewards programs, which could better help them stave off customer attrition, according to the results of a survey released Tuesday by Synergistics Research Corp.

Consumer confidence in the economy in August stabilized after declining for three consecutive months, although the number percentage of consumers rating their personal finances as poor rose, according to new survey data Discover Financial Services released Sept. 1.

The average charge-off rate on U.S. consumer credit cards in July fell to a 16-month low, while delinquency rates also were better as credit card-portfolio health continued to improve, Fitch Ratings reported Sept. 1.

Consumer confidence improved slightly in August, reversing directions after declining in both June and July, The Conference Board Inc., a New York-based research organization, reported Tuesday.

Consumer spending rose in July at the strongest pace in four months, supported by a slight gain in incomes that offered hope consumers will be able to keep contributing to a modest economic recovery.

The average credit card borrower debt during the second quarter ended June 30 dropped for the fifth consecutive quarter, to $4,951, down 4.1% from $5,165 the previous quarter, according to a TransUnion analysis of credit card trends. Each quarter TransUnion looks more than 200 variables in consumes credit report; many involve credit card stats like 60,90, 120 days past due, percentage of active credit cards, new trade lines that are new credit card accounts and average balance of new credit cards.

The banking industry's loan losses could stay elevated for years, recent federal data suggests, even after appearing to peak in late 2009.

Consumer confidence improved slightly in August, reversing directions after declining in both June and July, The Conference Board Inc., a New York-based research organization, reported Aug. 31.

Experian, a global information services company, Tuesday announced the results of its monthly Business Benchmark Report. Findings from the July report show that the national average number of days that businesses paid their bills beyond contracted terms increased by 2% in July compared with June.

Small-business owners’ confidence dropped sharply in August amid increasing gloom about the economy, according to new survey data Discover Financial Services released Monday.

During the second quarter ended June 30, the ratio of bankcard borrowers 90 days or more delinquent on one or more of their credit cards was 0.92%, down 19 basis points from 1.11% the previous quarter and down 25 basis points from 1.17% in the second quarter of 2009, according to TransUnion.

Individuals filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy protection are facing as much as a 55% cost increase as one result of the 2005 comprehensive bankruptcy reforms, according to a study published in the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review.