The card activation process is relatively low-tech, but since its introduction nearly three decades ago it has been hugely effective in preventing credit cards from falling into the wrong hands. Among its pioneers was Ash Gupta, American Express’ president of global credit risk, who is retiring next month.

In some states, total mortgages outstanding are at all-time highs, but in others hard hit by the financial crisis they remain well below their 2008 peaks, the New York Fed said Tuesday in its quarterly report on household debt.

Women who work at Mastercard Inc. earn 99.1 cents for every dollar men make for “equal performance at the same level,” according to a report the company released Monday.

U.S. consumers are borrowing more than ever to buy homes and cars, pay for college and even finance every day purchases. Is it a display of confidence in the U.S. economy or are many households living far beyond their means?

For many newcomers to the U.S., establishing credit is a big challenge. A handful of entrepreneurs are developing tools to help verify their financial histories.

The U.S. charged 36 people in a takedown of an international cybercrime ring that prosecutors say used the slogan “In Fraud We Trust” and stole $530 million with the help of pilfered identities and malware.

Banks are capitalizing on changing consumer habits - and satisfying a pressing need to diversify their loan portfolios - with a spate of instant point-of-sale loans for everything from iPhones to home improvements.

JPMorgan says it will deploy Total System Services Inc. technology when issuing virtual payment cards to commercial clients.

Customers are now getting slapped with “cash advance” charges when using credit cards to buy Bitcoin and other virtual currencies.

Bitcoin declined for a fifth day, breaking below $7,500 and leading other digital tokens lower, as Lloyds Banking Group Plc joined a growing number of big credit-card issuers halting purchases of cryptocurrencies on their cards.