Half of U.S. consumers believe the overhaul of the credit card industry will have no impact on them, according to Maritz Inc.
The St. Louis market research firm found that 75% of U.S. households were familiar with the regulations President Obama signed into law this year, but they were divided on the impact the rules would have.
Maritz surveyed 2,666 adults online from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14 to measure awareness of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, which will restrict many practices when it goes into full effect Feb. 22.
Fifty percent said they expected to feel no impact, 17% said they expected a negative impact and another 17% expected a positive impact. Roughly 6% expected a "significant positive impact" and 4% expected a "significant negative impact."
Six percent were unsure what impact the new rules would have. Around 42% of respondents reported seeing recent interest rate increases on their cards, while 29% reported the recent notification of higher minimum payments, 28% reported recent credit-line reductions, 22% reported the recent imposition of new or higher annual fees, and another 22% reported recent rewards-benefit reductions.
Forty percent said they usually pay their credit card bill in full each month and 60% said they tend to carry a balance.
"I was surprised that consumers' familiarity with the new regulations was so high, given the fact that many credit card issuers are still contemplating changes they will make in response to the law," said Rich Brose, the senior director of strategic consulting for Maritz's financial services group.
