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Policy Analysis || Litigation || Additional Resources

The amount of credit card debt juggled by a majority of American households has exploded in the past few decades, due to aggressive marketing as well as a host of abusive and deceptive practices. Creditors would increase a cardholder’s interest rate when a single payment was late or if the consumer’s credit score has changed, even if every payment was received on time. Card companies also imposed a host of fees and punitive charges that exacerbated the problems of consumers who had hit hard times.

Truth In Lending

Truth In Lending

Includes recent changes that set out new disclosure requirements for mortgage loans, while limiting arbitration clauses.

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Despite the serious and growing abuses in credit card practices, there was little regulation of these lenders, due to the sweeping expansion of federal bank preemption. Most credit card lenders are big banks, who are legally permitted to ignore state limits on interest rates, fees, and other lending practices. As a result, abuses by credit card lenders spun out of control, creating enormous hardships for consumers.

The era of credit card deregulation ended in 2009, with the enactment of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosures (CARD) Act.  NCLC played a key role in the passage of the Credit CARD Act.  NCLC will continue to advocate on behalf of consumers as regulations are written to implement the Credit CARD Act and new reforms are pushed to stop abuses not addressed by that Act.

Policy Analysis


Policy Briefs, Reports & Press Releases

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Credit Cards Comments

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Credit Cards Letters

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Litigation

  • In re: Chase Bank USA, N.A. “Check Loan” Contract Litigation, Master Class Action Complaint

Credit Cards Additional Resources

video iconNCLC attorney Lauren Saunders testifying at a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s hearing on the Credit CARD Act, October 2, 2013 (See 31:46 and 57:36 for Saunders’ testimony).